Medina Days, the community’s annual week-long celebration, concluded Saturday, Aug. 9 with a parade and carnival followed by a BBQ and firework show at Medina Beach.

“I think Medina Days have been awesome this year and we got two new chair people, Matt Kochel and Ross Mickel, and they did a great job,” said Heija Nunn, a Medina resident and community cheerleader of sorts. “I feel like I’ve been dropped in Norman Rockwell’s town and that’s what the neighbors have said to me, too. All of a sudden we have the complete package – a small town experience a mile and a half away from Bellevue.”

The Medina Store, located at 800 Evergreen Point Rd, re-opened just in time for the festivities.

The store’s owner, Hae C. Lee, greeted a large crowd of neighborhood kids with lollypops in hand and a welcoming smile.

The Medina Market, known to residents as “the little green store,” has served generations of Eastside families since its original opening in 1908.

“This store is my sweetheart and this is a lot of people’s childhood memories,” Lee said. “Even people who moved away, they heard about the store opening and came to see. It touched a lot of people’s hearts,” she added.

Ellen Merrifield has been a Medina resident since 1972 and fondly recalls the days of sending her kids down to the market for a loaf of bread or can of tuna.

Back then, the market used charge accounts to keep track of purchases. To keep tradition alive, Lee has decided to bring the old charge account system back.

“It’s just a thrill to have something so family oriented here,” Merrifield said.

Situated between the town post office and Medina City Hall, the Medina Market will offer a central hub for neighbors to enjoy organic produce, espresso from Illy Coffee, deli foods, fine wines, fresh flowers, pastries and a large selection of candy.

“The community really put their hearts into this store,” Nunn said. “Mickel, one of the co-chairs for this year’s Medina Days, has a small winery and offered his expertise to help Lee select other wines to carry based on what he thought people would like. People said they wanted wine and they want it to be charming and cute and that is what’s happening. She really listened to what the people of Medina wanted. There’s a little piece of everyone in this store,” Nunn explained, adding that one neighbor brought in dog treats, another made a suggestion box, and another made the stickers for the candy jars.

“She (Lee) wanted the market to carry the goods that people produce locally. It’s very mom and poppy but with a high-end spin,” Nunn added.

Mrs. Lee’s daughter Helen Lee, has joined the Medina Market as the store manager.

“My daughter Helen worked here when she was in high school and she remembers a lot of people and they remember her,” Lee said, who still recognizes customers after 20 years. “Every morning we get excited to open the store.”

Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@reporternewspapers.com or at 425-453-4602.