NAPANOCH – "We're having a pretty good sale all week," says Dick Peters, as Peters Market gets set to mark forty years in business at their location on Route 209, in Napanoch. "Started in 1971, when Pat and I bought McAuliff's Market. Since then we've expanded three times and remodeled twice."

Peters Market has chugged along through eight presidencies, the collapse of the Soviet Union, wars from Vietnam to Afghanistan, gas lines, factory closings and economic ups and downs. "We have found that perseverance goes a long way," says Dick Peters. "We work hard and long, hoping good things will come."

Good things will be happening, starting Sunday, May 8. There will be a free raffle at the store. "Pick up entry forms at the store, put them in the deposit box," says Peters. "Each day we're giving away a $40 gift certificate. There will be two or three other prizes every day, too. They're all on display in the entrance of the store."

"In addition, every morning between 8 and 11 a.m. there'll be free coffee and homemade donuts and pastries. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., there will be a sampling of different products made by us or our vendors."

"The family atmosphere has always been important here. Our strengths have been our great employees, our good perishable departments, our natural/organic food department and our size. Being a medium-sized store has its advantages. We have always done our best to have an 'easy-in, easy-out' shopping experience here."

Dick Peters adds, "Our permanent staff has been a great asset. They've been hard working, innovative and great with customers."

One signature section of the store is the Natural and Organic Department, which was introduced by Pat Peters in the early 1980s. Having struggled for years with an illness related to diet, Pat concentrated on special diet foods, products without yeast, gluten, dairy and sugar. And she integrated them with the regular store products in each department with an identifying green "natural and organic products" sign. The intent was to introduce these products to the every day customer.

The celebrations at Peters Market will culminate on Saturday, May 14 with a Lunch Party.

"From 11 am to 3 p.m., there'll be a Boars Head refreshment center in the parking lot on the Main Street side of the store," says Dick Peters, with "hot dogs for a dollar, and all proceeds and donations going to Napanoch Concerned Citizens for the summer music program."

"Free popcorn, sno-cones, and a Pepsi beverage wagon will be here too, dispensing free sodas. There'll also be ice cream compliments of Gillette's."

For more information call Peter's Market at 647-6990.