Submitted by the Port of Friday Harbor.
On Friday, Sep. 12, the Port of Friday Harbor Commission approved the purchase of the historic JJ Theodore Cannery and the surrounding 2.12-acre parcel for $1.44 million.
Located on Griffin Bay at the western edge of Jackson Beach, this impressive structure once operated as an independent salmon cannery. Built around 1950 by John Jackson, first as a smokehouse and later as a cannery, it was later sold to John J. Theodore in the 1970s. The facility was a major employer for islanders in summer, employing up to 100 workers during its heyday, many of whom worked the so-called “slime line” into the mid-1990s.
The building, with its generous square footage of over 20,000 square feet, had long been an acquisition target for the Port after the cannery ceased operations. Port Director Todd Nicholson explained, “The stars seemed to align to make this happen now, with a willing seller approaching the Port at an attractive price.”
Nicholson also noted, “The building is in good condition, with a new galvanized roof and a solid foundation. It offers great potential to support the Port’s mission of economic development. Staff and the commission will seek public input on the best way to use the space.”
Public notice and procedure
In Washington state, port districts are generally not required to provide public notice when purchasing property. However, the sale or transfer of port property does require specific public notice and hearings. Though the Port of Friday Harbor typically discusses items on the agenda before taking action, in this instance, the Port Commission acted quickly to secure the sales price and agreement, aiming to prevent interference from other interested parties.
Under Washington law (RCW 53.08), port districts have broad authority to acquire property through various means, including purchase and condemnation. Routine property acquisitions do not require a special public notice.
Future development
It will be a while before the public is granted access to the property; zoning changes are needed, and safety concerns regarding aging dock structures need to be addressed. Longtime Port Commissioner Barbara Marrett celebrated the purchase, stating, “We are thrilled to finally be acquiring The Cannery, a purchase with so much promise and one which had eluded the Port for decades.”
