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Linden Perk offering unique experience of deli, coffee house and market in one shop on the east side of Puyallup
Neil Pierson
Published: January 2nd, 2009 09:31 AM
What do you call a business that combines a sit-down coffeehouse with an on-site delicatessen, convenience store and a drive-through window?
Linden Perk owner John Merz and manager Mary Roden are hoping local residents call it a quirky but family-friendly place to do business.
Linden Perk, located at 2102 East Main Avenue in Puyallup, celebrated its grand opening last Friday. Merz, who opened Impressive Signs and Graphics next door just two months earlier, has a 26-year history in business and came up with the idea for the shop through his own personal experience.
“It’s kind of been in my head for many, many years,” Merz said. “I thought I would like to have a drive-through convenience store because many times if I travel with my grandchildren and they’re in their car seats, it’s challenging and sometimes burdensome to unstrap them and carry them into the store.”
To that end, Linden Perk is molded in the form of an old-fashioned mercantile store. Canned and boxed goods line the walls behind the counter and employees access the tallest shelves with a sliding library-style ladder.
The store’s atmosphere also draws upon its Northwest heritage. The seating area features a large fireplace framed in river rock and two large landscape portraits that aren’t painted, but printed on fabric by Merz’s graphics business. Baristas churn out the typical coffeehouse drinks, from lattes and cappuccinos to herbal teas, fruit smoothies and Italian sodas.
Roden honed her culinary skills in several kitchens, working for Summit Trading Center, Pioneer Place senior living center in Tacoma and Camp Sealth, a Camp Fire USA-owned campground for school, church and non-profit use on Vashon Island.
“Mary and I have a 10-year history of working together,” Merz explained. “I know Mary and her capabilities as far as cooking and managing and running a culinary service department. She has very strong skills and the skill set to run this store for us.”
Roden has developed a particular penchant for homemade soups, something she wants Linden Perk to be well known for. The store will offer a variety of heart-healthy soups — low in fat and sodium — including minestrone, beef barley, chicken noodle, split pea and navy bean.
“Growing up, my mom made everything homemade and I just picked up from her on how to make things,” Roden said. “I believe people want to have the feeling of home as soups go, something that doesn’t come out of the can or out of the bag.”
Fresh meats, including corned beef, pastrami and Genoa salami, will be featured in Linden Perk’s deli case on a daily basis. Patrons can also find “grab and go” items like salads and yogurt parfait cups, or purchase a boxed lunch complete with a made-to-order sandwich, chips, cookies and juice.
Linden Perk’s drive-through opens at 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday, so early birds can check out another of Roden’s specialties — cinnamon rolls with apple chunks.
“It tastes very similar to an apple fritter, without all the grease and the oil,” she explained.
Merz believes Linden Perk’s location near several apartment complexes lends itself to a family-friendly approach. He’s also looking to draw in business and social gatherings.
“If there are book clubs that like to meeting in the evening…we’ll stay open late and accommodate groups like that,” Merz said.
“I believe we do want to be open for the families, somewhere safe that you can bring your kids and just feel like it’s at home,” Roden added.
Does Merz think he can handle the operation of two businesses at once?
“That’s why I hired Mary, to let me have some sanity,” he said, chuckling. “Mary’s hired a staff — some very good, qualified people with experience in the coffee-deli business before. We were very fortunate to hire some really experienced staff.”
The store has its own eclectic style and the management plans to emphasize that fact.
“We’re maybe three stores in one,” Merz said. “And we want to do all three very well.”
Reach Reporter Neil Pierson at 253-841-2481 ext. 313 or by e-mail at neil.pierson@puyallupherald.com