Mike and Janet Mayer have known for years that they were going to retire this year. But now that the time has officially arrived, the longtime owners of Blue Sky Market aren’t sure how to feel.

Sure, they’re looking forward to having more time for their hobbies and spending time with their family outside the area. But when it comes to the day-to-day, the Mayers admit it may take them some time to develop a new routine. That tends to happen when you’ve spent 26 years working at the same location.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” said Mike, who turned 65 last May. “We have forged a lot of relationships over the years with our customers, vendors and community members, and it’s probably going to take us a little while to adjust to something new. But this has been our plan for a few years and we’re ready.”

The couple’s plan was to sell their market in Mabton first — which they did about a year and a half ago — and then, eventually, sell Blue Sky Market at 116 Chehalis Ave. And while they have fielded numerous offers over the past 18 months, they wanted to find the right buyer. The pieces finally fell into place last fall, and their last day as owners will be Feb. 28.

“We wanted someone local; someone who would be in the store every day like we have been,” Mike said. “Janet and I have nurtured this business for many years, and we are very proud of what it has become. So, we wanted to make sure it was going to stay in good hands with someone who takes the same amount of pride in it as we do.”

That person is Freddie Perales, the co-owner of Mercado Guadalajara in Toppenish. He and his mother, Leonor Garza, have owned the Mexican-style meat market at 10 Washington Ave. since 2006 and are well-established and respected in the community. 

Knowing that Perales and Garza intend to put the same level of attention into Blue Sky Market as they have with Mercado Guadalajara was a major selling point for the Mayers.

“They want to keep things as we have them, or at least close,” Mike said. “They’re part of this community, and they know how much people love this place. After talking to a number of potential buyers, we decided they were the right fit.”

Perales officially takes over ownership of the store on March 1 and, as of late February, was in the process of interviewing the current Blue Sky staff. Most of the employees have been around for a long time, and Mayer hopes most, if not all, will remain.

“We have a really good crew, and they all know our customers well,” Mike said. “We’re expecting a pretty smooth transition.”

While the Mayers won’t be involved in the market’s day-to-day operations, Mike agreed to consult with Perales for as long as he would like. The couple will continue to maintain two rental properties near the market — a house and an apartment building — so they will already be in the neighborhood. 

“We’ll be here to help Freddie with whatever he needs, and we’ll also continue to buy our groceries here,” Mike said. “The way we look at it, it’s to our benefit if he succeeds. Plus, we’re just that kind of people. We love Toppenish, and we can’t just walk away from our friends. This place is a huge part of who we are.”

The couple, who live a few miles south of town, will continue to be active in the Toppenish community, especially at Grace Brethren Church, where Janet is a worship leader and Mike serves as treasurer. Janet, 64, will continue serving on the Toppenish Mural Society board of directors, while Mike will continue volunteering with the Toppenish Lions Club.

When they’re not maintaining their rental properties, shopping at Blue Sky or serving the community, the Mayers will likely be camping somewhere in the Northwest or visiting their families in Spokane, Pasco, Idaho and California. 

The couple has five children and nine grandchildren between them — they formed a blended family when they were married in 1994 — and none of them live in the Yakima Valley. Now that they don’t have to keep up with the market operations every day, they can hit the road whenever they choose.

“We don’t see our grandkids very often, so we’re really looking forward to that,” Mike said. “We also love to camp, so we’ll probably do even more of that than we normally do. It’s just nice that we won’t have a set schedule anymore.”

In many ways, it’s the end of an era in Toppenish. The Mayers have been engrained in the local community for the better part of 30 years, and while they will still be seenn around town, they will no longer be the familiar faces behind the counter at Blue Sky Market.

It won’t be easy for the couple or for their beloved customer base. But at least they know the business will be in good hands with Perales.

“We’re going to miss our customers most of all,” Mike said. “But these aren’t just our customers; they’re our friends. There are people who come in here every day, and some of them have been coming in since we bought the place 26 years ago. This has always been a true family business, and we’re glad it’s going to stay that way.”