For 30 years the building at 129 W. Randolph in Moran served as Stubs Market. But after the owners decided it was time to close the doors, which would have cut off the towns access to fresh food, members of the community and surrounding areas sprung into action.
Together they created the Maramaton Market and one year later it is beginning to thrive under its co-op business model, as it learns the wants and needs of its community.
The store will be celebrating its one-year anniversary today, with members of the market receiving a 5% discount, while cake and ice cream will be served at 11 a.m.
It will also mark a day of change, as the store announces a new general manager, after Rachel Henderson, who was recruited away from a store in Arkansas to get the market started, moves to New York.
Hendersons last day will officially be June 6, while Carol Hamilton moves from her position as assistant manager to general manager.
Henderson said there have been several challenges along the way, but the store is set up for success.
I think the biggest challenge has been that everything was aging and at the end of its lifecycle. Coolers had been propped up by 20-year-old pudding cans. Figuring out how to move forward was difficult, because obviously we couldnt afford to go out and buy all new equipment, Henderson said.
Another issue turned out to be food vendors. When Henderson arrived, she thought she would be able to use some of the vendors she used in Arkansas. That was not the case.
We only get one delivery a week from our main vendor. It is a location challenge. When I was brought in, in February of 2018, I thought surely we can get some of the vendors we had in Arkansas. But it turns out we were just right outside the delivery zone.
While the inside of the building still needs some painting, repairs to the outside which includes three large roof leaks and the replacement of cooling units on the inside, have the business prepared to make more changes that will be obvious to customers.
The Market has plans of becoming a local one-stop shop. They have added some small tools, coffee makers, light bulbs and other necessities. The store keeps a running list of items that customers recommend and look into getting those supplies when they find an available vendor.
The store is also proud of its selection of herbs and spices.
Our bulk herbs section is where you can get as little or as much as you want. That is an item that you would find in your natural food stores that you can come and get here, Henderson said. It is actually cheaper for the customer to purchase items like this, than it is to purchase it by the bottle. We have been trying to work on bringing in new things too, that you would have to travel to get. Trying to become that destination spot. If you wanted a specialty product, instead of having to travel to Kansas City to get it, you may be able to find it here.
The store hopes to add a deli and prepare food for customers daily in the future, to give the town another option for a quick meal.
Both Hamilton and Henderson said that initially, change was hard for some people in the community to accept, but one year later customers are starting to appreciate the store being open.
