Theo’s Fresh Produce opens Friday

Theo’s Fresh Produce will open its doors at 8221 Greenwood Ave. N. at 8 a.m. Friday, with free samples and lots of chances to win raffle prizes.

Prizes include gift baskets from Theo Chocolates, United Natural Foods Inc., JC Wright Specialty Co., Java! Java! Coffee Co., Natural Foods Northwest, a case of steaks from Stockyard Meats, and one loaf of artisan bread per month from Grand Central Baking Co. Customers will get a raffle ticket for every purchase, and you must be present at 3 p.m. Sunday for the raffle drawings.
“My goal is to have the store jam packed on Sunday,” Owner Theo LaConte said.
He says his suppliers were happy to donate to the grand opening. “I’ve been in the business a long time, so they all know me,” said LaConte, who started in the produce business picking fruits and vegetables in the Kent Valley at the age of 12.
The grand prize is a green Pacific “dualie” tandem bike.

LaConte and his suppliers were busy stocking when I dropped by on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s LaConte bringing out the potatoes.

Here’s the front of the store.

And here’s looking toward the back, with the dry goods and eventual bulk foods section in the back.

Theo’s carries a decent selection of other goods, too, such as pasta, sauce, cereal, peanut butter, crackers, canned tomatoes, olive oil, baby food, diapers, paper towels and cleaning supplies. He plans to have a large selection of gluten-free foods, and the bulk food section in the back is coming soon.
The store also has an espresso machine, more as a convenience, because LaConte says he doesn’t really want to compete with all the coffee shops in the area.
Theo’s will hand out lots of free samples all weekend, and LaConte will occasionally yell out produce-related trivia questions. Answer correctly and get a prize.
Theo’s Fresh Produce will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.