There’s nothing I love more than a  family business success story.  Even better, a local Tacoma family business.

I work in a family business myself, and I know the joys and challenges of working with family.  It seems to me that the ladies of Lynnae’s Gourmet Pickles have got it figured out and are producing a mighty fine pickle, one jar at a time.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Aly, who gave me some samples and told me the story of their company.  The pickle recipe is a family secret, passed down through the women of the family.  Only when Aly married into the family did she get to learn the recipe — and now she’s one of the pickles’ biggest fans.

Lynnae’s Gourmet Pickles offers Mrs. Pickles, their original sweet and sour dill, and Hot Mama, a sweet and sour dill with a hint of jalepeño-driven heat.  They also make a pickle relish in both flavors.

This is the first time I’ve tried their products and I have to say, I’m blown away with how delicious they are.  I may or may not be eating some Mrs. Pickles spears as I type.

And yes, there is pickle juice on my keyboard.

They are the perfect amount of sweet and sour, and have a wonderful garlic flavor.  The Hot Mamas offer just the right amount of kick for me — not too spicy, but just enough to liven up your tongue.

I’ve become aware that some of you are pickle fiends.  I never really knew such types existed, but you are out there.  And you know who you are.

Right now, you can buy Lynnae’s Pickles at Harbor Greens and Rosedale Market in Gig Harbor and you can sample them at The Greener Bean in Fircrest.  Of course, you can get them through their website.  They even do free delivery to anywhere in Pierce County.

If you’d like to sample their wares, they will also be at the Victorian Country Christmas at the Puyallup Fair and the MOMPreneur Holiday Bazaar November 19th from 12-6 at The Greener Bean.

I’m going to let you in on a secret — they’re selling gift baskets for the holidays of varieties of their pickles, or combined with FishWife Salmon (another awesome local business) through their website.

The future looks bright for these pickle-making ladies.  They expect more stores in the Pacific Northwest to be carrying their product soon, and even for some local restaurants to be featuring their pickles in dishes.

2013 Update: Lynnae’s Pickles can now be found in many locations, including Tacoma Boys, The Pacific Northwest Shop, Dave’s Meat and Produce, West Seattle Thriftway and more. For the full list of stores, check out their website.

(Photo Courtesy Lynnae’s Pickles)

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