Business Community

900 miles to Patterson’s Farm Market

Almost 900 miles and 15 hours in the car didn’t deter a Fox Island family from making one last stop at Patterson’s Farm Market before heading home from their Thanksgiving road trip to Santa Cruz, California.

The much-beloved Patterson’s Farm Market has returned to its seasonal spot at the Chevron station near the Gig Harbor airport roundabout, next to Anderson’s General Store at 1902 Point Fosdick Drive.

“They always have the best trees,” Ashley Goodman said as she walked the lot with her kids, inspecting the freshly cut Nordmann and Noble firs.

Goodman explained their method: “We do it by smell. And layers.”

(Pro tip: look for a tree with enough space between the boughs for ornaments to hang properly.)

Nine-year-old Soren confirmed the family’s “smell test,” sharing the whole tree-lot vibe with a grin: “It’s pretty cool.”

The Goodman-Hinz family looks for its Christmas tree at Patterson’s. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

Patterson’s offerings

The family has been buying trees from the Pattersons since their original location. The 46-year-old business spent most of its life at the corner of 56th Street and 38th Avenue NW before its 2022 eviction. The original location, owned by the Stroh family, remains vacant.

The Patterson classics are back again this year. Shelli Patterson hand-makes wreaths, kissing balls, centerpieces and swags. Swags start at $24 and wreaths range from $40 to $100. Customers can place special orders in person or by phone.

The Pattersons offer delivery, often with their signature personal touch for customers who need an extra hand. The family has a long history of helping install trees for those who need it.

Nordmann and Noble firs arrive freshly cut from the Satsop Valley in Grays Harbor County. Prices range from $60 to just under $400.

Ashley Goodman of Fox Island leads Leon Hinz, 14, and Soren Hinz, 9, on their search for the perfect tree. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

The market opened early this season, launching the Monday before Thanksgiving to give the family a head start on production and ensure they were fully stocked for local families and businesses.

Picking a winner

After an initial survey of the lot, Goodman and her older children selected a tree while Steven Hinz carried their youngest, still in rainbow rubber boots and blue Christmas pajamas covered in red Santas and green trees. Sleepy from the long drive, the child perked up as soon as the perfect tree was chosen.

The red-jacketed tree guys wrapped and secured the family’s pick for the final stretch of their long journey home.

Goodman had assured her kids they wouldn’t have to decorate the tree that night. But their energy picked up the moment they chose their Patterson’s tree, enough to make this reporter suspect a little decorating might sneak its way into the evening after all.

Patterson’s also offers wreaths and other holiday decorations. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

Patterson’s Farm Market

Phone: (253) 851-8144

Location: Adjacent to Anderson’s General Store at 1902 Point Fosdick Dr.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/PattersonsFarmMarket

What’s there: Nordmann and Noble firs, $60-$350; fresh cedar garland; swags $24, custom, locally handmade center piece charms, wreaths $40-$100 and “Kissing Balls.” Custom orders and specialty holiday requests available.

A Patterson’s “Tree Guy” hauls out the Goodman-Hinz family’s tree. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann