The Makery Movement

By Justin DeMeyere

I began working at Skagit Valley Food Co-op in the summer of 2022. By the end of my second day, I learned I had COVID. I’m fairly certain I know where I picked it up: during my three years working graveyard shifts at PCC Community Markets in Seattle, I often opened the door for my fellow employees early in the morning. Just days before starting at Skagit, a smile, a sneeze, a hello, and goodbye—a bug hitched a ride on my friendly gesture. Out one door and into another, I realized I had unknowingly brought an unwelcome surprise to my new workplace.

Not quite the first impression I was going for. Returning to work, I feared I’d already burned bridges in Mount Vernon—jeopardizing my new job and alienating my co-workers. I worried they’d never forgive me. And my boss, who had placed so much trust in me? I feared she’d no longer see me as someone fit to prepare food, let alone lead a team.

But they proved me wrong. They judged me not by the unfortunate circumstances of my first days but by the quality of my work. Having worked at two other co-ops in the previous five years, this was the first time I truly felt the sense of community and care I’d only heard about before. At Skagit Valley Food Co-op, community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lived value. I felt it from my co-workers, my leaders, and the customers in the store.

In just a short time, I grew more at Skagit than I had in twenty years of dead-end jobs in corporate retail. I was offered incredible learning opportunities: courses on deli operations and personnel accountability, hands-on experience in every back-of-house deli position, and the chance to attend seminars, conferences, and farm tours.

Then, in the summer of 2023, I received the opportunity of a lifetime: leading the relocation of our deli operation from its existing space in the Co-op Building on South 1st Street to the newly reinvented Makery building at 309 South 3rd Street.

The Makery is a single-story production facility located just under the South 2nd Street overpass in the same parking lot as the Co-op. Inside, a team of 43 dedicated individuals craft nearly every item you’ll find in our deli cases. We supply the delicious ingredients for our famous deli sandwiches—including our own sourdough and whole wheat sourdough bread, baked and sliced fresh daily. One of our proudest achievements is our quarterly $5 Community Meals, prepared collaboratively by the Makery and the main store deli teams. Our mission is to offer fresh, local, and organic foods while keeping many items affordable and accessible.

Relocating our deli kitchen team to the Makery was no small feat—it was a massive undertaking that demanded coordination, resilience, and trust. But through that challenge, we’ve evolved into a skilled, unified crew, guided by a leadership team deeply committed to excellence and care. Every day, we work to deliver the safest, most flavorful deli offerings in the Valley, and I can say without hesitation that being part of this tight-knit community is the greatest privilege of my professional life.

Within the walls of the Makery, we’ve built a culture of accountability and support that mirrors the sense of belonging I felt from the moment I joined Skagit Valley Food Co-op. Each day brings new opportunities to grow—not just for me as a leader, but for every member of our team. Together, we’ve created something truly special: a workplace rooted in purpose, connection, and shared success.

The benefits of having a dedicated food production space are too numerous to list in a single article. We’re excited to show people what we’re building here, and we hope to arrange tours in the future. The Makery is truly something special to behold.