In a unanimous 3-0 ruling, Island County commissioners approved a $500,000 loan application for a Washington Rural Development Loan submitted by the nonprofit Goosefoot Fund on Monday.

“Today, the state is expected to review, and hopefully approve, the loan request,” said Goosefoot director Chris Hurley. “We’re very pleased because this is a longer-term loan that will allow us to move forward with the opening of our new store, The Goose.”

According to its loan request, Goosefoot expects to spend $1.5 million on improvements to the 21,000-square-foot grocery — last occupied by Casey’s Red Apple — and the Bayview center.

If the loan is granted, Island County will transfer the funds to Goosefoot, which will use the money to buy the initial inventory for the new grocery at Bayview Shopping Center.

Hurley noted the store’s unique-to-South Whidbey bulk food section. Featured bulk items will include olive, canola, and sunflower oils; vinegars; honey; legumes from A to Z; and pastas, seeds and grains of all shades and sizes.

“Customers will also be able to grind their own almond and peanut butter,” Hurley added.

The store is expected to have 10 full-time and 30 part-time employees.