POULSBO, WA – The Suquamish Tribe has begun construction in Poulsbo on the first in a new chain of “Clearwater Market” retail outlets. The 7,700 sq. ft. facility marks the first business venture by the Suquamish Tribe outside the Port Madison Reservation, and will be located at the intersection of Bond Road and Gunderson Road.
The Poulsbo Clearwater Market will include a 5,000 sq. ft. convenience store with a nine-pump gas station, alongside a 2,700 sq. ft. Agate Dreams cannabis store. Tribal business leaders expect to welcome the market’s first customers by the end of the year.
“This is an important milestone for our tribe,” said Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman. “We’ve come a long way to get to this point, dating from when we overcame many challenges just to get our first bingo hall open on the reservation. We’ve worked hard over the years to create businesses offering quality services, good value, and a warm hospitality that reflects the spirit of our people. Now, we are bringing all that to the wider community across our ancestral territory.”
Run by the tribe’s business arm Port Madison Enterprises (PME), additional Clearwater Markets are planned in Silverdale and Bremerton.
“We are doing a lot at PME in terms of working really hard to extend our retail footprint into your ancestral homelands, reestablishing our presence out there in the community and to let folks know that this is your territory,” said Rion Ramirez, Port Madison Enterprises CEO.
“We ask our ancestors for guidance when we do these things,” said Tribal Elder Peg Deam, offering a blessing at the groundbreaking. “I am thankful to our ancestors, our elders, and especially our leaders at tribal council and PME for making the decisions that get us to events like to today.”
Considered a sign of blessing, a bald eagle flew overhead throughout the ceremony, which also included traditional songs offered by Suquamish Song & Dance.
“Thank you to everyone who made this possible,” said Forsman. “We are looking forward to more of these to come.”
