A couple of weeks ago my friend Roberta Anderson and I met for lunch at Second Park to try the place out. I can say the service was excellent and with the awesome weather we were able to dine out doors! What a gorgeous setting they have there. The cafe’ is currently open seven days a week at seven am. You can call ahead with your order if you would like.

Second Park is operated by Robert Gray who has an amazing vision for this new “hot spot”. Currently you can enjoy awesome food, your favorite coffee or a glass of wine. There is also a classy lounge upstairs, where you can meet your friends for a relaxing evening. The possibilities are many for this new spot and with the expansion of the Bremerton Boardwalk connection to Evergreen Park in the near feature Second Park Lounge & Cafe’ will be a destination for anyone on the Boardwalk.

A few items from the menu:

• Pizzas: Four Cheese, Pepperoni, Specialty Pizza (this one is loaded!)
• Wraps: Southwest Turkey Wrap, Cajun Wrap (mmm w/Frank’s hot sauce)
• Pastas: Tortellini, Creamy Alfredo, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Lasagna and Mac & Cheese! (these come with soup or salad and bread – all $10.99 and under!)
• Salads: Caesar, House, Chef, Cobb (this was good!), Cream pasta
• Soups: French Onion, Chili, Split Pea, Calm Chowder, Italian Jambalaya (that sounds interesting)

Of course there are several cold and hot sandwiches and even an Appetizer menu. There are always some pastries and a variety of desserts!

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 4^th 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!

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.