Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

he phrase “I heard the news today” comes from the Beatles song “A day in the Life”. The phrase “I heard it though the grapevine” comes from a Marvin Gaye song and both phrases are pertinent to this week’s column.
I had been hearing through the grapevine for sometime that the Alsea Bay Market in Waldport was going to be closing. Speculation about the stores status was the subject of many conversations I’d been hearing. Physically the store was very lightly stocked and there didn’t seem to be too much going on. Then one day I heard the news from a woman who called and wouldn’t leave her name that the store had closed. I wasn’t shocked having been in the store recently and talking with some of the staff but it hit home. Now there is speculation about how long the Yachats Village Market will remain open. Both stores were purchased sometime ago from the Clark family who had operated both stores as Clark’s Market for many years.

Personally I was involved with both markets having worked for the Clarks for almost eight years. As a family the Clarks ran both stores efficiently and successfully and both stores were tremendous assets to the communities. As a family the Clarks provided employment for many youth and adults from the communities who have gone on to become successful in a variety of occupations such as real-estate agents, home builders, educators, health care workers, parents and other interesting ventures. For communities like we have here on the Central Oregon coast the Clarks offered a family atmosphere, decent wages, fair hours, health care and other benefits. That was a real bonus and helped them attract decent and hardworking employees. The markets also had a strong presence in the community and were active in community events and functions. The Clarks themselves were quite active in the community and schools. It’s interesting that over the years a number of former employees of Clark’s Markets have stayed in contact with one another and that is a testimony to the atmosphere the Clarks created in their stores. It was a friendly, family oriented atmosphere which included both the workers and the valuable customers that frequented both markets.
Having said that, I’d like to think that someone will step in and bring the two stores back to life. The parties that purchased the stores from the Clarks suffered losses to key personnel and apparently are no longer in position to continue. It’s sad since both Waldport and Yachats need the markets. There are other fine stores and a good market in the area but for convience and selection those stores are paramount. As I mentioned before the future of the Yachats Village Market is nothing but speculation but I sincerely hope that one of these days I’m not saying “I heard the news today” and having it be bad news.

To reach Rick Schultze email:yarick@pioneer.net.