Whitaker’s Farm Market, the newest addition to Bellville businesses, has been giving area customers a taste of their selective blend of healthy, natural and organic selections since opening for business in October.
Owners Marc and Jocelin Whitaker are now hosting a grand opening event for their business on Sunday Dec. 13.
The couple will extend their usual business hours for the celebration, as the store will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Additionally, Whitaker’s will be offering samples of their products and a raffle contest.
The Whitakers enter the bulk health-food business with a wealth of experience gained throughout their lives.
“Marc grew up in the business working in his parents’ store,” said Jocelin. “After herbs saved my life when I was five-years-old, my family began to turn to more natural options for our health and food. As a result, I became more personally interested in my mid-twenties and graduated with my Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy degree.”
After the pair got married this spring, they became interested in starting their own business venture. Since May, the couple has been searching for an ideal location for the business, settling on Bellville after seeing Trinity Farms Market was up for sale.
“We began seriously researching the location,” explains Jocelin. “We realized what a nice community we would be moving to and raising our own family in. We also saw that the area had a need for our type of store and felt that we would be a good fit for the community and have already felt so welcomed to the area.”
The Whitakers hope to use their 2,000 square-foot building to serve area patrons a variety of needs. “We hope to become a part of the community’s regular shopping trips,” states Jocelin. “A place to stop for lunch or dinner or just a snack. We want to be like the old time general store, the place you would go to not only shop, but to eat, visit and see friends.”
The business owners aim to work closely as a family to create a collaborative shopping and learning experience among the community and themselves.
“We strive to not just bring a product but to bring an education and service in so doing. We are looking forward to sharing our personal experiences, testimonies from others, and sound instruction in how to best utilize an item whether it would be something you cook with or a supplement to improve your health,” said Jocelin.
“My husband and I have purchased the old Trinity Farms Market location,” said Jocelin. “We will be carrying organic, gluten free, all natural, healthy and not so healthy snacks and candy, deli, baked goods, deli sandwiches, health supplements, local beef and chicken, as well as local maple syrup and honey.”
Whitaker’s Farm Market is open Mon.-Thurs. from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is located at 7427 State Route 13 in Bellville.
