After more than six year as store manager in Port Orchard, Axel Strakeljahn was transferred to the Fred Meyer store in East Bremerton, effective Feb. 25.

“South Kitsap is such as great community,” Strakeljahn said. “I’ve made a lot of friends and always tried to provide great service to the community. I’ll miss the community for sure.”

Strakeljahn said it was a “sad day” when he notified his Port Orchard store employees he was moving to the East Bremerton store.

“It was a sad moment. We’ve have a lot of longevity in the Port Orchard store with people that has worked there for a long time,” he added. “We’re a pretty close family of people who work together. It was more of a family atmosphere.”

He has been employed by Fred Meyer for 18 years.

Strakeljahn also serves as the District 3 commissioner for the Port of Bremerton, representing South Kitsap, Southwest Bremerton, Seabeck, Holly and Crosby.