An owner’s promise to rebuild and reopen a historic Bremerton market that erupted in flames in 2021 has come to fruition about two years later.
The newly remodeled Midtown Market at 1534 6th St. reopened in late February after being damaged by fire and smoke. Despite the devastation felt by owner Akash Juneja and his family, who acquired the store in 2018, a promise motivated by the support of the community was made days after the blaze.
“People like to support local,” Juneja said. “You go to a bigger store where they don’t have that personal touch, they miss that part. We are here as a community, a family.”
Standing in the middle of the market’s newest layout, Juneja and shoppers alike believe the fire may have ended up being a blessing. “We made it, and we’re here,” he said. “We’re bigger and better with a beautiful store, and we couldn’t do it without the community.”
Customer Lance McCoy added: “I’ve been coming to this market since 1974, and this is the absolute best it’s ever looked. It’s weird how things work out like this.”