Bridge closure impacting Soundview Deli & Grocery

Soundview Deli & Grocery needs the community’s support. Without it, the locally owned store is in danger of going out of business.

When owner Lia Tetreault used her life savings to purchase the deli/grocery store in May 2023, business was good. She averaged around 250 to 300 daily customers; most drove across Edgewater Bridge from Mukilteo to Everett, or vice versa. 

That traffic ended Oct. 31 when the City of Everett started work on the much-delayed Edgewater Bridge replacement project. Mukilteo Boulevard between Shore Avenue and Mukilteo Lane/LaMar Drive is now closed. The project and road closure are scheduled to take a year.

Soundview Deli & Grocery is at 3711 W. Mukilteo Blvd., a short distance from the bridge. A road closed traffic sign is yards away from the store. 

The closure has had a devastating impact on Tetreault’s customer base.

“The day after Mukilteo Boulevard became blocked by the bridge closure, I lost 90% of my business,” Tetreault said.

Around Thanksgiving, a flurry of social media posts helped bring Tetreault’s struggles to light, and the deli/grocery saw an uptick in customer traffic.

But the initial increase in numbers had subsided, and Tetreault said business has been off by more than 90% in December.

“I’m trying to smile for my customers,” she said. “But I am so worried.”

Tetreault has already made cuts to her staff. She had to lay off two employees, and a third employee who used to work five days a week is down to two days per week. Tetreault arrives at 7 a.m. to open the store and closes it at 9 p.m. She’s working seven days a week.

The lack of customers means that some of the food that would be sold under normal business conditions is unsold and has to be disposed of because of expiration dates.

“I have had to throw out a lot of food,” Tetreault said. “I have no customers.”

It’s her customers who made Tetreault feel so welcome in the community when she took over the deli/grocery last year.

“People were really nice. People loved coming to the store,” she said. “The Soundview quickly became my whole life. Yet, I’m afraid that it is going to disappear unless I get immediate support.”

Tetreault said about 50% of her customers were Mukilteo residents who stopped on their way to Everett. Another 40% were from drivers from Everett, and the rest are those just driving by.

Ways to support

Many Mukilteo customers stopped by Soundview once or twice daily as part of their daily commute.

Two customers who used to stop by Soundview when they drove through Mukilteo recently told Tetreault they plan to drive to the store via SR 525 to support her.

Another supporter, Dr. Sanford Wright, set up a GoFundMe account to help support Soundview at tinyurl.com/55kwd863.

Residents in the immediate neighborhood likely have noticed several signs on Mukilteo Boulevard that say ”Soundview Deli & Grocery – We are open during construction!” Supporter Kevin Holloway donated them.

In addition, a group of supporters called Soundview Saviors has set up a website at soundviewsaviors.com. Its tagline is “Don’t let the bridge detour destroy the deli!”

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin visited with Tetreault and wrote about her visit on her official Facebook account.

“I want to help spread the word that Soundview Deli is open and ready to serve our community throughout the closure of the Edgewater Bridge,” Franklin said. “Small businesses are incredibly important to Everett, especially neighborhood businesses like the Soundview Deli. Consider stopping by for a delicious deli sandwich, some tasty snacks, or a sweet treat.”

As a way to show her appreciation to the community for its support, Tetreault and her friends are planning a “Thank you for supporting the Soundview Deli and Grocery” event in a large tent outside the store from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21. Special music and dance performances are scheduled.

Tetreault plans to cook some of her favorite Korean food. Beverages and ice cream will be served.

“Everybody is welcome,” Tetreault said. “I like to cook. I want to show my appreciation to all the nice people.”