When Trish Young eloped with Jim Gruber, she promised to move to Chestertown. That was part of the agreement. Little did they imagine their future would entail running a natural foods store together in his hometown.
Trish’s personal food allergies had led her to start a natural food buying club in 1989, as there was nothing nearby. In the years since moving to Kent County, she had worked as an interpretive naturalist at Adkins Arboretum, Tuckahoe, Turner’s Creek and Horsehead Sanctuary, among other preserves. Her husband, Jim, was with the MD Department of Natural Resources Marine Police. Trish calls the decision to open the store a ‘perfect storm’, ” The grant money funding naturalist programs dried up, Jim had a boating accident and retired from the DNR, and the lack of volunteers meant I was doing all the work in the buying club.”
Chestertown Natural Foods was born in June of 1993 in the Townsend building on Spring Avenue in downtown Chestertown. “We had two rooms in the front . The health department made us put a mop sink in the bathroom and a new water heater in the basement before we could open the doors,” Jim recalled. Three years later, in dire need of more space, they relocated to 214 Cannon St., where they remained for ten years. They have been in their current location, a block and half up Cannon and across the street to number 303, since January of 2007. “We literally rolled the shelves up the street,” said Trish.
She stressed that they made a conscious decision to stay downtown. “It is so important for a community to have a thriving downtown with locally owned shops. We pride ourselves in carrying local products, and we’re always looking to carry more.” She added, “Our customers are investing in our store, investing in local businesses. We, in turn, try our best to provide those customers with what they want. It’s a cooperative business.”
Besides carrying local and organic meats, dairy, fish, and fresh produce, Chestertown Natural Foods carries everything from books to cleaning products, health and beauty aids, medicinal herbs, baking needs, snacks, supplements, pet foods and supplies, even a filtered water machine. There are tubs of fresh herbs growing outside. Trish, who is also a certified nutritional consultant, is available by appointment for consultation. “Customers need information to make informed decisions,” she explained. ‘ It’s a constant challenge to keep up with it all, there’s always something new. I do believe the health of ourselves and the health of the planet comes down to one simple thing—the food we choose to put in our mouths; how and where that food is grown and how it’s processed. ”
Anniversary specials, including a sale on supplements, will continue through the month of July. Additionally, Sunday shoppers paying cash receive a 5% discount. They are happy to take special orders, and offer a 10% discount on case purchases. Stop in prior to the end of July to put your name in the raffle for a free consultation.
Chestertown Natural Foods
303 Cannon St
Chestertown MD 21620
410.778.1677
Mon- Fri 10am-6pm
Sat 9am-6pm
Sun noon-5pm
Vincent says
This store is a big asset to Chestertown- my wife and I shop there regularly. If you haven’t ever visited it, do so at your earliest opportunity.
PJ says
Why does the store ask for Blood Type on their employment application?