Natural food store celebrates recent expansion of facility
Patricia Johnson, left, and Brooke Larson working behind the counter at Mountain Valley Foods on Thursday in Kalispell.
The Mountain Valley Foods store has expanded by 1200 feet. One of the areas that has been significantly increased is the Gluten-free products which have been expanded from 4 feet of shelf space to twelve.
Creating a sense of space for their customers was a key goal when owners of Mountain Valley Foods in Kalispell decided to expand their business, adding another 1,250 square feet to the shop on Commons Way earlier this summer.
To celebrate the expanded store, their sixth year in business at that location — just off U.S. 93 — and their 21 years of business in Kalispell, a grand expansion celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. Their neighbors at Qdoba plan to join in as they recognize their sixth anniversary in the same building, Mountain Valley Foods co-owner Patricia Johnson said.
“We’re excited to share our expansion with the community,” she said. All merchandise in the store will be discounted 15 percent that day. People can take a chance at winning baskets in raffles and free snacks and carrot juice will be offered, too.
Mountain Valley Foods expanded into space previously occupied by Budget Blinds, Johnson said. In early May, construction in the old Budget Blinds space began, leaving the shared wall in place to prevent too much disturbance in the store. The wall was removed after about a month, and for about a week, a sheet of plastic hung between the old and new as construction was wrapped up. The plastic came down and the larger space was immediately filled, she said.
Growing from 2,700 square feet to 3,950 square feet allowed Johnson and the other owners — her father, Larry Johnson, and her sister Lorien Johnson — to increase their inventory and better display their products. They increased their line of supplements, body care products, gluten-free merchandise and bulk goods. More space for more bulk items was especially important, she said, because they’ve noticed more and more people buying in bulk. Their bulk section includes spices and herbs.
They also created a small seating area with two tables and chairs for any customers who want to sit and drink beverages from the juice and coffee bar in the store.
“We have people meeting here for coffee now,” she said. Her shop is the only place in town people can buy a 100 percent organic latte — made with organic coffee from Montana Coffee Traders, organic dairy products and organic flavoring.
Wider aisles and less crowded shelves allows for more leisure time and perusing time by customers, Johnson said.
Customers love the expanded store, she said.
“We have customers walk in the door, look around, walk back out to look at the sign and make sure they’re in the right place,” she said, laughing. “Really, we owe the expansion to our customers who have been so supportive. We truly thank them for their support.”
Mountain Valley Foods sells a full lineup of organic and natural products including organic dairy products and organic produce. The shelves feature natural cleaning products, natural pet foods and a wide array of natural foods for people.
Personal care products run the gamut from hair coloring products to hair brushes with natural bristles to makeup to soaps and body washes. Lotions and lip balms fill several shelves.
Grocery offerings are also varied, including dry mixes for such items as pancakes, cakes and pudding. Freezers display an array of frozen yogurt, ice cream and dinners. There are plenty of choices of salsa, cereals and canned goods, as well as olive, canola, grapeseed and other oils.
The dairy cooler is loaded with cheeses and milk and a line of dairy-free Veganaise spreads.
Organic meat, fish and eggs are also sold at the store.
Montana Coffee Traders coffee fills one end cap and the tea choices are even greater.
One display rack holds organic vegetable seeds for people to plant in their own gardens.
More space also allowed for more books on topics ranging from allergies to green building plans to making healthy food choices. Cookbooks are also sold at the store.
At the juice bar people can order organic juice drinks, fresh wheatgrass shots made with wheat grown near Kalispell or organic lattes and other coffee drinks.
Organic wines are prominently displayed alongside other specialty beer and wines.
They buy as much food from Montana farmers as possible, but much of the produce comes from certified organic growers in other states, Johnson said.
“The organic market has been growing,” Johnson said. Store employees regularly see customers who want to choose from a wide variety of organic or natural products and who want to shop where employees are well informed about the products they sell.
“We all eat the food we sell,” Johnson said of the 13 people who work at the store.
The store is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Mountain Valley Foods was founded in 1989 by Larry Johnson and Mary Johnson. In 1997, Patricia Johnson joined the business and in 2002 Lorien Johnson came aboard.
“It’s truly a family business,” Patricia Johnson said.
Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.