About Us

Owners Jeff and Kim Nichols, with Laine and Andy
--Opening night, August 2001

In 1977, on the same day that their first child, Andrew, was born, they opened Lopez's first (and still only) natural food store, called Blossom. A lunch counter was later added to the store, which was dubbed the New Bay Café, after a previous café called, surprise, the Bay Café. Both Blossom and the café, (now The Bay Café) are alive and well on Lopez.

Jeff went to work at Lopez' only supermarket in 1989, and was manager of the store in 2001 when he left to devote full attention to the Galley. The sale was completed in July of 2001, and after a month of remodeling, the Galley re-opened to resounding (and continuing) support from the Lopez community. Jeff and Kim invite you to come, see the island, meet the exceptional people, and discover all the things that are so special about Lopez ... such as the Galley.

Here are some links about Lopez Island and some of our other island's businesses...

Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
Kenmore Air Seaplanes
Lopez Village Properties
Island House Realtors
Windemere Realtors
Islands Marine Center
Stewart & Leta Marshall
Lopez Farm Cottages, B&B and camping
www.radiofreeolga.com
Orcas Island Adventures
San Juan Cruises

The Galley's History

The Galley was built in 1971 by Paul Hanson. Previously, a small tavern occupied the lot. The original tavern and dock date to the mid 1940’s. Local stone mason Jerry Frisch laid the bricks and flagstone for the Galley, and Virg Arnold did the plumbing and electrical. The roof beams were milled by Delbert Gaddis from local fir, and the ceiling planks were milled by Jack Giard and Roy Buzzard. Jack and Roy had just started Island Timber Company, when they were asked to mill a rather large order of “2 inch thick material, any length, any width”. As they were completing the order, the job fell through, and the order was cancelled. Soon, Paul Hanson came along, in a big hurry to get the Galley built, and asked them to mill a rather large quantity of 2” thick material, “any length, any width”. With a straight face, Roy asked him when he would like it delivered. Paul answered “As soon as you can!” The next morning, to Paul’s amazement (and Roy’s huge amusement) the order was delivered. Glen and Ingrid Cushing owned and operated the Galley until 1976, when they sold it to San Juan County’s future county Auditor and his wife, Si and Leann Stephens. They in turn sold it to Printes Brown and Ron Chadwick in 1980. The current owners, Jeff and Kim Nichols, took over in 2001.

We hope you like coming to the Galley!