Rainier Fresh Country Store — Local services in Buckley

I would love to see this store thrive but I dont see it surviving very long. I've heard the ownership changed and ever since, I feel like there is nothing but pastries... I absolutely loved the idea of a produce stand near the butcher shop. Unfortunately they only carry half the produce other stores carry. It is not a one stop shop anymore.

I personally would like to see all veggies (green bell peppers, sugar snap peas, english cucumbers, green onions, and really everything vegetable). Id also like to see all fruits available (apples, oranges, watermelon, grapes, etc). Other great additions would be eggs, milk, cheese, bread, and basic rice. Basics, but healthy... maybe some local honey or jam. I also loved the vegetable starts that were sold there in the past and hope to see them again...

I understand that not everything is in "season" like peaches or cherries; but I feel like the vegetables/fruits could be expanded.

Were not looking for exotic already made food. We just want basic clean/healthy food. I feel that this store would thrive more with basics, especially with a butcher shop nearby. It is such an advantage. Lately I've been leaving this store super...

After passing by here so so SO many times and my husband and I saying "hey we should go check that place out sometime", we finally went today and I totally regret not going sooner! I went specifically for apples and they did not disappoint. I usually buy apples from Fred Meyer and so carefully pick through to find some that aren't bruised to hell and back AND are not tiny, so I usually end up settling for smaller apples and feeling rushed and judged for taking 38 hours to choose🥸 THIS PLACE. Every single honey crisp was perfect - no bruises or dings, no nasty wax - just a huge giant box of perfect apples for me to choose from. I was only looking for the most giant ones, not worrying about bruised or bad apples etc, or feeling rushed for taking forever. It was actually super fun picking through all the perfect apples. AH! 🤗It was a cute place, with literally no exaggeration the best apple I've ever eaten, down to earth owners, chill vibe all around. I've found my apple dealership for life. Don't sleep on this place like we did! Apples all day 🤸🏻‍♀️...

What happened?! About a week ago this was a produce-forward mecca. I went in today, and the produce is squashed into half the floor space and the rest of the store is now filling up with canned, jarred, packaged, and frozen food. The smallish cooler with the twee displays of peppers,lettuce, zucchini, etc is downright sad. (There were just TWO red peppers out!). This will no longer be a produce destination shopping trip for me…I can get a better selection now at the stupid regular grocery stores.

The gal at the counter said the change is to offer more items to compensate for the closing of Buckley Foods. I could well be wrong, but I think Rainier FRESH just lost its way. I loved walking in the door to a wide variety and selection of fresh produce. Now it feels like a higher end AM/PM or 7-11 that happens to have a produce section. :-(

This was a 5 star produce store, but dang it, it’s now a 3 star...