The Shaw Island General Store is celebrating 125 years of business, serving communities in the San Juan Islands. A walk through the door of the Shaw General Store is like a walk back in time. If ever a store had character, this is the one. Started in 1898, it is one of the oldest businesses in the San Juan Islands and in Washington State. Situated right on the water, it offers breathtaking views. The Shaw General Store is a piece of rustic island history. The original island fir floors complement the unique antique furnishings and island memorabilia. The coffee shop in the back of the store once served as the Post Office in earlier times.
“Local is what we do,” say owners Steve and Terri Mason. “We roast our own coffee from a roaster that was invented by an islander, we have hundreds of local products and support as many local farmers and artisans as we can, from wine to sea salt, from fresh vegetables and bins filled with bulk foods to ice cream.” You’ll find specialty items too, like mustards, vinegars, herbs, and teas from the Benedictine Monastery. Boaters are encouraged to stop by for pizza or a deli sandwich and chat with the locals, or meet up in the Captain’s Tap Room for local beer and wine.
The Shaw Island General Store has always been the central hub of Shaw Island life and a beloved icon in the San Juan Islands. The store has a rich history that began with Eugene and Sadie Fowler who started a little store in their home near Blind Bay in 1898. In 1924 they built the store at its present location on the water’s edge. In the early days, feed for island chicken farms and building supplies for Shaw and other surrounding islands were an important part of the store trade.
The warehouse, adjacent to the store, was originally a cannery built for the Shaw Island Canning Company in 1912. The cannery processed salmon and produce from local farms. Later, the building was used for boat building, as well as sales of feed and lumber for the store. In 1958 after many years in the Fowler family, the store was sold to a succession of owners – the Yansen, Leidig, and Nichols families each ran the store for a number of years.
In 1975, the Franciscan Sisters purchased the store and ran the adjacent ferry dock. The “Nuns” were famous for meeting the ferry in their brown habits and greeting people at the store. They maintained a chapel near the dock and welcomed many friends and visitors to Shaw. They continued to serve the Shaw Island community for 27 years. There are still two orders of nuns on the island: the Religious Sisters of Mercy; as well as the Benedictine Monastery, Our Lady of the Rock.
Steve and Terri Mason, along with their children, bought the store from the nuns in 2004 and continue to extend a warm welcome to boaters and islanders. Boaters will find good anchoring depths in Blind Bay on the north side of Shaw Island. It’s a short, easy dinghy ride to the Shaw Island General Store and its small marina, which can accommodate boats up to 25 feet. Space is retained for store customers; however, space is limited so arriving by skiff or dinghy is best. The store and small marina are located on the east side of the ferry dock; boaters should stay clear of the ferries when approaching and departing.
Boaters continue to enjoy the unique experience of visiting the charming Shaw Island General Store, now managed by Chloe, the daughter of Steve and Terri Mason. 2024 marks the 20th year that the Mason family has been operating the General Store. The store is open year-round; call (360) 468-2288 for current hours, or to check on space at the docks. All are invited to help the Mason’s celebrate the store’s Centennial on Saturday the 25th of May on Memorial Day Weekend.
Article by Steve & Terri Mason
and Lorena Landon
Photos: Lorena Landon
