Green’s Fresh Market opens in Hillyard Historic Business District

On a recent morning, a handful of shoppers browsed among limes, lettuce and leeks at Green’s Fresh Market on Market Street.

Jack Green opened the store last month in the Hillyard Historic Business District.

He gutted the 3,500-square-foot space, which most recently housed Hillyard Garden and Bistro, installing new flooring and adding corrugated metal paneling to the walls. The result is a bright, airy market with a rustic vibe.

“The business community in Hillyard is very close-knit and supportive,” Green said. “Everything I got from them was that this market was a key component in the continuing revival of the district.”

Green is no stranger to the produce business. His first job – after graduating from North Central High School in 1976 – was delivering produce with his brother, Leo.

He worked in the retail and wholesale side of the industry before opening Champion Produce with his brother.

Five years later, they sold the business, and Green launched his own produce market – Green’s Quality Produce, at Mission Avenue and Napa Street.

In 1985, his father-in-law Vince Piccolo joined him in the business, which eventually became Piccolo’s Italian Market.

“We added an Italian market, a grocery store and a restaurant as the business grew,” Green recalled. “The Italian end of it was a destination spot and the grocery was more of a neighborhood market.”

Piccolo had many years of experience in the restaurant industry. At one time, he owned three local eateries including The Chef, a mainstay in the Logan neighborhood that fed hungry Gonzaga University students for 45 years.

Green sold Piccolo’s about eight years ago, and the business became Cassano’s Italian Grocery. He continued working there until last year when the spot at 4915 N. Market St. caught his eye.

“I’m not ready to retire yet,” he said, smiling. “I’d been looking for locations when I came across this building. I really like the Hillyard neighborhood. My kids went to St. Pat’s,” referring to the Hillyard-area St. Patrick’s School.

The business district gets a lot of foot traffic, especially on weekends, but Green noted the property includes a parking lot, which adds to the convenience for shoppers.

He carries a full line of produce featuring everything from staples like apples and potatoes to the more exotic, like cactus leaves.

“I carry some organic if I can get a good deal on it,” he said.

As a veteran green grocer, he keeps close tabs on tasty trends and is open to including items such as sunflower shoots and pea shoots.

“They add great flavor to salads,” he said, picking off a sprig.

Green said the business has been warmly welcomed.

“Hillyard is a very community-minded area,” he said. “People stay connected even if they leave.”

Eventually, he hopes to expand and add a deli, fresh meats and perhaps a bistro.

“I can foresee a larger Perry District here, with a brewery, a winery and some nice restaurants,” Green said. “Hillyard is very unique – unlike no other neighborhood in Spokane that I know of. Drive down Market and you’re driving down Main Street USA.”