Do you remember the "little store" in your neighborhood growing up? Finding a nickel on the sidewalk meant you could run down and buy a handful of candy. If you are my age you can remember penny candy, bottled soda and hand scooped ice cream cones. When my boys were growing up there was a "little store" in the neighborhood were we would stop after a day of work, school and daycare. The sought after items had changed from penny candy to Captain Crunch ice cream bars or Big League shredded baseball gum in the pouch ( yes I know that probably isn't PC now days - nothing fun is) but the memories are the same.
In Bremerton there is a hidden treasure - a "little store", located in the Evergreen Park neighborhood that is providing this generation of Bremerton kiddos those kinds of childhood memories. CJ's Evergreen General Store is located across the street from Evergreen Rotary Park at 1417 Park Avenue. I have had the privilege of meeting the owner CJ at the Bremerton Farmer's Market one Thursday BBQ'ing up some burgers for the market's crowd. I had been asked in a blog to write an article on CJ's Evergreen General Store and so I thought since it was located by the Bremerton Farmer's Market location I would stop by the market and then head on off to the store. To my surprise there CJ and her crew at the Farmer's Market holding one of their many BBQ events. I had a quick chat with CJ between all those wanting those awesome smelling burgers and then headed off down the street to CJ's Evergreen General Store to meet her manager Lisa and take a tour. Little did I know that CJ's husband would be the one giving me the tour and that I would also get to meet her darling girls! CJ's Evergreen General Store is truly a passion for this family. CJ is the one that has the vision and the amazing energy and her family gives her all their support!!
Walk inside and you are going to hear "Welcome to CJ's" cheerfully called out from the counter. To the left you can see the fresh ice cream and espresso area, straight ahead you will see the coolers and to the right the true to the theme of all general stores the counter with the candy! There aren't many isles and so it is amazing that you can shop for dinner, pick up some fishing tackle and buy your lottery tickets all in one stop! CJ is so accommodating that if you need a "special order" item you can bet she will try and find it and will usually carry it for you.
This place is totally one of the neighbors. 
CJ's Evergreen General Store is more than just the local neighborhood market, it is a place for neighbors to meet and socialize. You can sit outside on the walk and enjoy Dillanos Coffee and Ootopia Espresso from the deli. On a rainy day you could sit inside at the tables right by the deli. CJ's deli has a very unique list of weekly specials, if you wear your pajamas on Friday you can receive a free drip coffee! How fun is that! Always available to help you with your fundraiser, family gathering or neighborhood BBQ CJ's can do the cooking for you. Give them a call for deli sandwiches, homemade chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle soup. Order your "home baked" cookies, brownies and double crust fruit pies and for the holidays you can special order holiday cookies, cheesecake and of course those awesome pies. 
CJ's Evergreen General Store is also a very welcome participant to many of the local Markets, Fairs and happenings. You will find the BBQ at the Poulsbo's Farmer's Market, BUGS May Fest, Bremerton's Farmer's Market, Simply Renewed 4th Street Market, and of course at Concerts in the Park. CJ's Evergreen General Store is an amazing place and a business that is very excited about the Bremerton community. Stop in and say Hi, have a Moxie, Nesbitts or Bubble UP and if you don't know what those are then have a Faygo instead! All I can say is I wish I was within walking distance!! The Evergreen Park neighborhood is very lucky! Memories are going to be made!
Bremerton WA :: CJ's Evergreen General Store from Jo Soss on Vimeo.
Just one last thing....CJ's is an amazing supporter of Local Vendors - here is a partial list
CJ's Evergreen General Store :: Across from Evergreen Rotary Park, 1417 Park Avenue, Bremerton WA 98337 :: 360-479-2708 :: cj@cjgeneralstore.com :: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends.
Author:Jo Soss
Jo Soss is the designated Broker and the owner of Homefront Realty in Bremerton Washington. Selling real estate in the greater Puget Sound area since 1994 she has vast knowledge in all aspects of a real estate transaction. Using today's technology with her signature personal service allows her to achieve complete customer satisfaction.
Subscribe
Copyright © 2008 - 2012 Homefront Realty
Washington State Required Disclosures
"Equal Housing Opportunity"
This reminds me of when I was a kid, and they had the soda fountain at the local Walgreens. =)
(Thanks for posting to the Things to Do/Places to Visit group.)
Jo- What a wonderful endorsement of a neighborhood store. The owners must be tickeled pink;) I love the way you really went in depth about the features and great things about the store.
Fantastic Jo... do they still have penny candy? Seems like the last time I saw that Henry Ford working on that whole 'assembly line' thing. :) I think all of us... um.. of a certain age... can relate.
Looks like a terrific neighborhood store. Love your new slide shows too!
Hi Jo,
A great find and who doesn't love a place like this. I'd love to just wander around and see what they have.
Jo - Nice job with your profile of CJ's Evergreen General Store in Bremerton. I remember as a kid having a couple of cool general stores. There are all gone and replaced by the fancy big name stores (:
Lisa, When I was growing up we would ride the bus downtown to the drug store on the corner and sit at the lunch counter. That 50's stainless steel decor is still my fav! I always had grilled cheese and a vanilla shake!
Katerina, The owners are amazing! The energy and passion they have makes you want to go out and start your own small town business!! I would love to live in this neighborhood!
Jesse, There is "penny" candy - I think it cost a few more pennies these days! I so hope that this generation gets to make the memories we did. This store is a memory maker!
Penny, Thanks! I love doing the video and well wanted to insert all the photos I took that day. The slideshow is easy and a free service - slideroll is the name.
Cynthia, The have everything!! That is what is so cool about these types of stores and if you wanted them to carry "purple cow milk" they would try!!
Bill,When you look at the history of areas it is sad to see what we have lost with the "progress" we have made. Some downtown areas have been wiped out because of strip malls and mall centers. Bremerton is building back from such a case. There are many small business owners now heading downtown to rebuild the downtown core and their excitement is contagious!!
Jo, I just got done telling someone else how much I liked thier video idea and now I get another one! I have been doing video real estate and community tours for about eight or nine months, but I am seeing that there is so much more to offer.
Fred, you would love the entrance - it has that feel.
Stephen, I always feel like I am a reporter when I do these types of blogs with video.
Too cool... I love the "small town" feeling... Bremerton brings back a lot of memories from my childhood... my dad was stationed at NAS Whidbey.
Debbie, Thanks so much for stopping by! I am glad it brought back memories! NAS Whidbey is a very beautiful duty station for sure!!