Kalya Leganza has been the Store Director at The Goose Grocer for three years, and she is maintaining the tradition of being focused on the needs of the local community while looking for ways to make improvements to the store.
Kayla began her career at a Kroeger’s store in Colorado at just 16 years of age. She was officially a “Courtesy Clerk.” She continued at her job in Colorado for 12 years. She moved to Whidbey Island 11 years ago to be with her husband’s family on the island
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The Goose Community Grocer (known simply as The Goose or The Goose Grocer) opened in September 2009 at Bayview Center in the location that was formerly Casey’s Red Apple Grocery. When it first opened, it projected a low-cost image with concrete floors and a system of funneling customers through a channel of bargain shelves. A customer base quickly developed, but it wasn’t until 2014 that The Goose began creating enough profit to support the original vision that Goosefoot, the store’s owner, had for the store.
Renovation of The Goose was completed in 2015 and included:
- New low-maintenance floors that do not require waxing or chemicals to clean
- Elimination of the bottleneck at the entrance that was not customer-friendly
- Removal of the stack wall that held the specials and provided a new open look coming into the store
- A greatly expanded bulk foods section for the local demographic that wants to buy only what is needed and not waste any food
- A re-arranged wine area that promotes improved traffic flow
There have since been many more improvements to The Goose Grocer including:
- New coolers and freezers and all of the machinery needed to operate them;
- New heating system in the store.
Future plans for improvements that are now in the works include:
- A new front entrance;
- Two EV chargers in the parking lot;
- Redoing the back loading area to provide more space on the sales floor;
The Goose has greatly expanded its bulk food options and continues to promote and support organic produce and other organic products.
There are now 70 employees – some who have been at the store for 15 years.
The Goose Grocer is owned by Goosefoot Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic and community development organization on South Whidbey. Goosefoot is committed to using its real estate properties and collaborative partnerships to “Achieve a vision of a thriving, socially and economically vibrant community on South Whidbey” according to Goose Grocer Store Manager, Kayla Leganza.
“Our grant program is made possible by the success of the Goose Grocer,” says Kayla, and she adds, “Your shopping dollars are put to good use right in your own community when you shop at the Goose!”
Profits from the “Roundup Program” in 2024 provided nearly $82,000 donated to several non-profits on the island. Currently, about $5,000 - $7,000 per month is allocated to non-profit organizations selected by Goosefoot. A different organization receives benefits each month; the organization selected is chosen by Goosefoot and by store employees once a year.
The Goose Grocer is managed by The Myers Group, which is headquartered in Clinton and operates several grocery stores in Washington State and one in Oregon and two in Alaska.
As part of the commitment to the community, The Goose has added a points-based rewards system: “Community Plus Advantage Program.” All ad, and in-store special pricing, is available to anyone with or without a rewards card, however the rewards system provides steeper discounts over and above the current advertised providing and in-store specials. Customers can also choose to donate their points to the Good Cheer Food Bank or Island Senior Resources.
Regular customers, and those who are new to The Goose, are quick to share their positive responses to the store environment. Best of all, profits from The Goose are continuing to grow and provide more support to The Goosefoot vision of service to the community.
If you haven’t been to The Goose Grocer recently, stop by and take a look. For more information about The Goose Grocer, visit their website:
