Ray’s Food Place Filling Grocery Needs Of Happy Camp, CA

Happy Camp, California, sits about as far north in California as one can go. The Siskiyou County town – population about 900 – sits in the middle of the Klamath National Forest, on the banks of the Klamath River.

The memorable name of the town, legend has it, was bestowed by a prospector who found gold in the area. Sometime in the mid- to late 1800s, Jack Titus came up with the name when his partner, James Camp, said upon arrival there, “This is the happiest day in my life.”

The town has another point of distinction as well. Miners at a local creek once saw a large apelike creature in the woods, and Bigfoot hunters continue to come to the area even today. To embrace the lore, there’s a 15-foot-tall Bigfoot sculpture made from salvaged materials on the main road, and the Bigfoot Jamboree takes places each Labor Day weekend, featuring music, food, vendor booths and children’s activities.

And at the town’s grocery store, Ray’s Food Place, a Bigfoot replica in the shadows by the ice machine out front is a great spot for a selfie.

The store began operating under the Ray’s banner last October, after Kingfisher Market owners Trista and Bob Parry decided to sell. They had owned the store since November 2001, and in an August Facebook post encouraged residents to “embrace the newest changes and welcome C&K Market, Ray’s Food Place, as the future owners of the store.”

C&K Market is an employee-owned independent grocer based in the southern Oregon city of Medford. It operates 39 grocery stores in Oregon and Northern California under the Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart and C&K Market banners.

Most of the stores – 33 – are under the Ray’s Food Place banner, “a full-service grocery store that emphasizes quality fresh products with a local flair,” said Erick Winchell, VP of non-perishable marketing for C&K.

The Shop Smart banner emphasizes convenience and value, and C&K Market is focused on serving small communities with its limited assortment format, he added.

The 7,500-square-foot Happy Camp store at 143 Davis Road had its grand reopening as Ray’s on Oct. 23, 2024, following an initial refresh.

A community barbecue, giveaways and special grand-opening savings were part of the store’s introduction to area residents.

Ray’s Certified Angus Beef program, fresh produce and a good selection of national and private brand products are offered at the store, according to a press release about the ownership change.

“We added some gondolas and expanded the product offerings,” Winchell told The Shelby Report. “Some new brands and private label were added, and we enhanced the outdoor garden center.”

He noted that the Happy Camp area is the ancestral home of the Karuk tribe, and there is a tribal museum in town. Many of the area’s residents “have ties to the tribe … and the tribe’s culture and heritage is impactful within the community.”

While it is a generally lower income area, Happy Camp also has “a growing tourist business and a strong sense of community,” Winchell added.

In the press release, C&K President and CEO Rocky Campbell said, “The communities of Happy Camp, Seiad Valley and Somes Bar are a great fit within our company’s core competencies of providing quality products, great service and good value to the local communities we serve.”

Aaron Sandahl, VP of marketing and community relations, said the store is in good hands under the leadership of Store Manager Julia Peterson. She had been part of the management team at Kingfisher Market and joined C&K when the acquisition was completed.

“A lifelong resident of Happy Camp, Julia brings deep local roots and valuable experience to her role,” Sandahl said.

“We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to retain a hometown leader who knows and cares about the community we serve. Her continued leadership ensures a smooth transition and reinforces our commitment to being a true community partner.

“Julia and the Happy Camp store are already a valued part of the Ray’s family of stores, and we couldn’t be happier to have her leading the team.”

Additional changes to the store are being considered for next year.

“We plan to schedule a more in-depth reset for 2026, with possibly adding a larger hot food department,” Winchell said.

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