Don Nakata, grocer, gave priority to values, people

Don Nakata, owner of Town & Country Markets on Bainbridge Island and in Poulsbo and the Seattle area, devoted himself to helping others do their best and get the best.

This affable descendant of Japanese-American settlers on the island insisted on finding customers fresh and innovative foods.

He liked giving employees the trust to do jobs they wanted to do.

He wrote about such values in company newsletters. He issued gentle advice to everyone he met, keeping in mind his overall goal: to nourish the quality of life via good food and right conduct.

"He's got so many sayings and quotes," said his wife of 38 years, Ellen Nakata.

Mr. Nakata died Tuesday (Oct. 3) of a stroke while on vacation in Louisiana with his wife. He was 66.

The Bainbridge native was active in his community and had donated to many causes.

"He was a leader, mentor, teacher and friend," said Tom Hall, director of Central Market in Poulsbo, one of the six stores owned by Town & Country Markets. "He always put people first."

Writing to the firm's 750 employees, his cousin Larry Nakata said, "Don was the heart and soul of our company."

Mr. Nakata had planned to retire in December, said his wife.

Town & Country Markets, which Mr. Nakata's relatives and another partner opened on Bainbridge Island in 1957, now include Greenwood Market Thriftway, Ballard Market Thriftway, Central Market Shoreline, Poulsbo Market Thriftway, Central Market Poulsbo and the original Town & Country Market Thriftway on the island.

His grandfather emigrated from Japan to Bainbridge in 1899 and worked at Port Blakeley Mill. After opening a barbershop and laundry in Winslow, his grandfather bought a strawberry farm in 1924.

Mr. Nakata's parents wed on the farm, turned the barbershop into a meat market and during World War II went with their son to a Japanese-American internment camp.

After the war they returned to reopen and expand the market. The family still holds 20 acres of fields.

Mr. Nakata, an avid fisherman and sports fan, participated in athletics and served as senior-class president at Bainbridge High School, from which he graduated in 1952. He earned a bachelor's degree in business at Seattle University in 1956 and served in the Army.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s he invested in real estate and worked in the family store, learning about customers, employees and distributors.

When his father retired in the mid-1960s, he took over.

"Don encouraged people to be who they are," said John Wood, director of learning and leadership for Town & Country. "He said, `I'm hiring you and turning you loose to do what you do best.' Our business is known in the industry as just a wonderful place to work."

In 1988 Mr. Nakata was named Grocer of the Year by the Washington Food Dealers Association.

He and his partners' commitment to customers is apparent in the markets, notably Central Market Shoreline - a warehouse with cooking kiosks, live seafood, Asian specialties and niches where shoppers can grind their own peanut butter. Much produce comes from small local farms.

"Don was a mentor and helped a lot of people grow as people and as employees," said his wife.

"He always said, `Have no regrets. Tell everyone you love them.' He really practiced that."

Cousins Ron and Larry Nakata are carrying on the business.

Also surviving are daughters Susan Allen and Julie Bowman of Bainbridge Island; brothers Bob Nakata, Bothell; and Wayne and Vern Nakata of Bainbridge Island; and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Woodward Middle School, 9125 Sportsman Club Road, Bainbridge Island.

Donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the Bainbridge Foundation may be made at any Town & Country store.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com.