Supporting local businesses, selling organic and gluten-free products and keeping prices low is what local organic food store Manna Mills sees as its signature, according to owner Choon Park.

Manna Mills was founded in 1995 and the 62-year-old Park has owned it for nearly 10 years. She said she never intended to own a store, but she knew the previous owner was selling and she felt Manna Mills had a special presence about it — and she wanted to keep the business up and running.

“(Manna Mills) is almost like Mountlake Terrace history so I don’t want to have to close up the store,” Park said.

Before Park owned the building, Manna Mills was primarily a place to buy a wide selection of flour, with a small section of gluten-free and organic products. But when Park took over, she noticed that there were very few stores in the area that sold organic products in bulk. As a result, she has been working to expand the store’s bulk product selection.

Park admits that it’s hard to compete with stores such as PCC and Whole Foods that have recently moved into the area, but she is committed to doing all she can to maintain the business.

“Every single minute here I just really enjoy. I talk to the customers and get their opinions on everything. I love it,” Park said.

Manna Mills offers 5 percent off for senior citizens and customers from nearby Premera Blue Cross. There are also special “calendar events,” where special items are on sale depending on the month. These can be found on Manna Mills’ website, mannanaturalmarket.com.

Park also said she plans on visiting the Mountlake Terrace Senior Center to advise seniors on the benefits of organic foods and promote the store’s senior citizen discount.

Park said she appreciates the personal connection she has — as a locally-owned business — with her customers. She recalled the time that one of her customers offered to paint the walls of her store — both inside and outside.

Park works full time at Manna Mills and said she “does everything.” She opens the store at 9 a.m. daily — 11 a.m. on Sundays — and stays until closing. She cleans the store, stocks a majority of the products and talks to customers.

With only four part-time employees, Manna Mills “is different than other big grocery stores. It’s more like a family,” Park said.

— By Stephi Smith