The grocery store at 1400 NW 56th St. that once packed so many singles into its aisles that the fire department asked it to stop is turning 40.

Town & Country Markets Ballard will host a free community celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with a pickled herring eating contest, '80s music, complimentary cupcakes and coffee, and a fundraiser lunch benefiting the Ballard Senior Center.

The store opened in 1986 as Ballard Market, the company's first location on the Seattle side of Puget Sound, according to My Ballard. It took over a former Lucky Store on 15th Ave NW just north of NW Market St.

The original sign was eye-catching enough that KIRO traffic reporter Paul Brendle, known as the "Guru of Gridlock," marveled at it on-air from his helicopter, according to the store's website.

Market Director Nancy Sullivan has been with the store all 40 years. She started when it opened.

In its early days, Ballard Market hosted "Singles Night," a grocery-aisle mixer that grew so popular the fire department asked the store to discontinue it because of overcrowding. Town & Country Markets announced plans in 2021 to bring its independently named stores, including Ballard Market, under the Town & Country name.

What's at the party

The Sept. 19 celebration includes a Jimothy scavenger hunt through the store, a prize wheel, temporary tattoos, cornhole and a memory wall with historic photos. A poet on-site will write poems inspired by guests' memories.

Hot prime rib sandwiches, described as an old Ballard Market favorite, will be served during a fundraiser lunch. All proceeds go to the Ballard Senior Center at 5429 32nd Ave NW.

Artist Jen Vickers designed a set of Ballard Market totes inspired by the store's former sign. The market has restocked them for the anniversary.

Anniversary deals run Friday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 20. The store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.