Home History Days of the North American Post Nakata Brothers Run Supermarket in Winslow in 1957

Nakata Brothers Run Supermarket in Winslow in 1957

(Photo above) A busy scene from the Town and Country of Thriftway Supermaket. (below) Masaaki, left, and Momoichi Nakata selling at their 70-foot meat counter.

Original Issue Date: Oct. 19, 1957

Translated by

The North American Post Staff

Town and Country Supermarket, located in Bainbridge Island’s Winslow, has been successful since its opening. The supermarket has been planned for 20 years by Japanese American brothers  Masaaki and Momoichi Nakata, whose late father, Jitsuzo, immigrated from Oshima in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Nakata brothers used to separately own  grocery stores, but both markets were forced to close due to development. They created a building plan for the big market, and over 100 residents in Winslow raised $100,000 for a 80×120 feet glass building.

Since opening the business on Aug. 29, the business run by the Nakata brothers and another American has been quite popular. Customers even visit from the Bremerton and Kingston areas.

The Nakata brothers have been so excited to run the business that they have expressed interest in continuing for 20 years. At this time, they have hired 20 workers and earn $100,000 a month.

Masaaki is married to the second daughter of the famous matsutake hunter and Port Townsend resident, Yoshikazu Kawamoto, from Hiroshima. His first daughter is married to Eiichi Otsuka. Momoichi married the second daughter of Otohiko Koura of Winslow from Hiroshima.

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The North American Post is a community newspaper that celebrates Japanese culture in the Greater Seattle area. Founded by 1st generation Japanese-Americans in 1902, the publication is one of the oldest minority-owned newspapers in the region. Today, with bilingual articles in English and Japanese, the publication connects readers with diverse cultural backgrounds to Seattle’s Japanese community. Our articles include local news, event calendars, restaurant reviews, Japanese cooking recipes, community interviews, and more.