MacPherson's, longtime Seattle produce market, is closing

MacPherson’s Fruit and Produce, a longtime fixture on Beacon Hill, will close next month.

Owner Greg MacPherson declined to comment. An employee said he’s not ready to talk and feeling emotional about the decision.

The employee said rising food costs have played a role. She also noted that ever since Mercer Middle School closed for demolition, business dropped. Store workers, who were informed two weeks ago, are still processing the news.

Some customers are hearing about the closure for the first time.

“That’s really sad,” said Rob Wood of Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. He points to the containers of strawberries in his cart —99 cents a pound.

“In these neighborhoods and in these spaces, affordable produce is really important. And I’m sad to see one more space go by the wayside.”

MacPherson’s has been at this location for more than three decades. In addition to produce, the stand sells snacks, Mexican breads, and spices.

“I worked at Boeing and I would always come by here in the evenings, probably since 1995," said longtime customer Arnie Nelson, who lives in West Seattle. He and his wife Vickie make it a point to stop at the store whenever they’re in the neighborhood.

“It’s nice to come up here, because they would have things that you can’t necessarily get at the local grocery store,” Vickie said.

It’s not clear what will happen to the space when the store closes on Oct. 8. This is the second food business in South Seattle to recently shutter. Two weeks ago, Mutual Fish permanently closed its doors.