Healthy business

Withey's Health Foods more than doubles its store space

A piece of Kalispell's small-business history was demolished last week, and when bulldozers cleared away the final debris of the old Withey's Health Foods, passers-by finally had a full view of a new Withey's store on the same familiar corner.

Though it's brand-spanking new and 2 1/2 times the size of the old Withey's store, the new facility was designed to exude an old-style comfortable environment.

"I wanted to establish that feeling of 'come on in,'" owner Joe Withey said. "I didn't want it to be anything other than homey."

And that spot in Kalispell, the corner of South Main and 12th Street, is truly home to Withey. He grew up in the old store when it was a quintessential "ma and pa" grocery store complete with living quarters for the Withey family.

Withey's parents, Lloyd "Bud" and the late Veronica "Ronnie" Withey, bought the business in 1958 when it was called King's Market & Motel. They then put the Withey name on the store.

On a 1-acre plot, Withey's Market and Motel had gas pumps, seven motel units, a small trailer court and a corner grocery that was open 365 days a year. The family owned business closed only for a few hours on major holidays.

The store was built in the 1930s and had "five additions in my lifetime," Withey said. By 1976 the motel was closed; the gas pumps were shut down in the early 1980s. But the grocery continued to chug along.

"My mom was the pillar of Withey's Health Foods," Withey recalled. "She brought the first health foods into Kalispell in 1960 - alfalfa tea and hypoallergenic foods, then minerals, vitamins, herbs."

The passion and appreciation for health foods was passed on to Withey at an early age.

"I read all the old-school [health food] authors and I was fortunate to listen to them," he said.

His parents, unable to break away very often from their small business, would send him to health-food seminars in Seattle and Portland to glean the latest information on what was then an emerging industry. Withey began managing the store in 1974 after graduating from high school. He took business classes at Flathead Valley Community College and studied nutrition as he began to embrace what would become his life's work.

Withey and his wife at the time, Deana, bought the business in 1984 and began the "quantum leap" from conventional grocery to health-food store.

The store has had a solid customer base for years, with loyalty forged by hard work and the belief that the community could benefit from healthier foods and supplements.

Not everyone was immediately a firm believer in health food, he recalled. Sometimes locals referred to the business as "the pill pushers on South Main."

Withey said his philosophy on health food has always centered around people taking personal responsibility for their health. And he's more than willing to share what he knows about the products with customers willing to listen.

A lifetime of working beside his parents taught Withey the mechanics of running a successful business, from watching profit margins to keeping a close eye on inventory.

"It was a common-sense approach to business," he said.

WHEN THE reconstruction of U.S. 93 gobbled up much of his parking lot, Withey had a decision to make. He'd long outgrown the aging building.

"I ran out of room, so I either had to build new or quit, and I'm not a quitter," he said matter-of-factly. "It was time to bite the bullet. I figured out how big I could build on this lot, and we decided to do the best we could.

"This," he said, surveying the new store, "is beyond my wildest dreams."

Bud Withey, 84, also is pleased with the new facility.

"I just wish my wife was here to see it," he said.

The store size increased from 1,450 to 4,605 square feet. The exterior was created to look like several small storefronts strung together, a design created by local architect Mark Johnson and Withey's ex-wife, who also shaped plans for the store's old-style interior.

Once the parking lot is paved and the grass is in, Withey envisions a bike rack, old-style benches and a hitching post to remind visitors of bygone days.

A produce section was high on the customers' wish lists, so Withey's now has a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables.

"Being able to showcase the produce is important," he said. "Our produce manager really knows produce, and he's training everyone else."

Withey credits his staff for much of the success of the business. They know most customers on a first-name basis. The number of employees jumped from four to 12 as the new store was opened.

"There's so much work right now," he said. "We moved 12,000 items and it took four days. I was so in awe of what we all did."

Customers have volunteered their time, too, during the transition.

Withey plans to use the kitchen area on the second floor of the new store as space for classes on cooking and nutrition. A grand opening will be held sometime this spring or early summer.

Withey's inventory ranges from organic emu steaks in the freezer to dried dandelion leaf in the spice section. And there finally is ample space for more items.

"This is a dream come true," Withey said. "It turned out so nice, it's humbling and overwhelming."

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com