About Bay Hay & Feed
Bainbridge Island, WA
About Us
Howard Block and Ce-Ann Parker fell in love with the old building in 1979 and bought it. Fresh from the sale of their natural food store in New Hampshire, Howard & Ce-Ann pictured a New England general store that sold hay and grain, tools and farm supplies. Soon their horticultural backgrounds led them to add a greenhouse, plants and organic garden supplies. All the while they were repairing, repainting, and renewing the old Rodal Building circa 1912 that they named Bay Hay and Feed. With the helping hands of friends and family, the steady support of Island customers and the constant encouragement of the Rolling Bay neighborhood, Bay Hay began to grow and grow. A strong community spirit already existed, but a destination to walk or bike, a place to meet, greet, get coffee or a bite to eat, are important in a community.
The Bay Hay Shirt (rows of farm animals in a multitude of color combos) took on a life of its own in the early eighties. They made their way around the world and back to Rolling Bay in the form of photos snapped in the wildest places, sweet family reunions and class trips. A sense of home grew out of the Bay Hay shirt, nostalgic to high school seniors, college freshman and out-of town relatives. Abbie and Teague were raised in the store, working and playing alongside neighbors, staff and customers. Like a beehive, Bay Hay has always been the center of continuous activity dawn to dusk – new projects built out of old projects, merchandise coming in and going out, plans devised and revised, new staff and customers arriving, old staff and customers returning. Spring chicks and greenhouse starts, harvest fairs and storm preparations, dogs sniffing for treats, gardeners looking for advice, all add up to the buzz of Bay Hay.
In January of 2022 Howard and Ce-Ann made the difficult decision to retire. More than forty years ago they built this iconic Bainbridge Island business from the ground up and it has grown into an integral part of the Bainbridge business community as well as the Rollingbay neighborhood. We are so thankful for everything they have done for this island and they will be missed! Bay Hay and Feed is now owned by another long-time island family whose friendship with Howard and Ce-Ann began in the early 70’s at the University of New Hampshire. Els, Jeff, Devin, and Nick are taking over from Howard and Ce-Ann.
Els has worked as Bay Hay’s managing director for the last 15 years. Jeff and Els were the previous owners of Classic Cycle on Bainbridge Island and Sacks Feed in Kingston. Their daughter Devin had her first job at Bay Hay and has been coming in since she was a little girl. Devin's husband Nick has been an arborist on Bainbridge Island for the past 6 years. We are thrilled to be the new owners of Bay Hay and Feed, and are excited to see the business continue to play a part in the Bainbridge Island and Rollingbay communities and thrive thanks to all of you!
Sustainability
- Sustainability has always been at the core of what we strive to do at Bay Hay and Feed. We were honored to receive the 2019 WA State business recycler of the year award from the Washington state Recycling Association! We also installed solar panels on the roof in 2011 and purchase 100% green energy. We recycle all cardboard, styrofoam, and poly plastic that arrives in our shipments and deliveries. Whenever possible we prioritize purchasing products locally to reduce our footprint.
Recycling Opportunities
We can help you recycle your plastic plant tags! Bring them in and place them in the plant recycling bin, if you can’t find it, ask our nursery staff!
Bring your socks to Bay Hay to be recycled! The main recycling drive occurs in April, but you can bring your socks anytime. Socks should be washed and unbound (separated from each other).
Rain Gardens
We have installed two rain gardens at Bay Hay and Feed to take the rain water runoff from our buildings and parking lot and filter it so that it will be clean by the time it reaches the sound! This was done in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Kitsap Conservation District.
Historic Rollingbay
Bay Hay and Feed is located in the original Central Store Building, built by Lucas Rodal in 1912. Like the Rodal family, Howard Block and Ce-Ann Parker supply feed, livestock and gardening supplies along with fencing and farm wear. In 1912, deliveries were made too, but with a wheelbarrow at first rather than a truck. Hay and feed were stored where the post office is now and moved aside for Saturday night dances. Bay Hay’s nursery and greenhouse occupy the old baseball field. Socks, leather and rubber boots are now stocked behind the “flour room” where wheat was ground earlier this century. Casual and work wear clothing is situated where the Rolling Bay Post office operated from 1915 to 1940. Times have changed, but when you stop in you’ll be glad to find that personal service hasn’t gone out of style.
