UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A new organic grocery featuring food from local farms may soon come to Upper Macungie Township.
Independent contractor Bill Kuklinski and farmer Reuben DeMaster are partnering to open an organic grocery store at 8150 Hamilton Blvd. in Breinigsville.
The site formerly was home to the bicycle shop Cycledrome.
DeMaster co-owns Willow Haven Farm in Weisenberg Township. He said the store would be an expansion of the small shop located on the farm, which sells food from his and other local farms.
“We're trying to feed people and to build people's health, really supporting the people that are looking to live a healthy lifestyle.”Farmer Reuben DeMaster of Willow Haven Farm
“We are trying to extend the hospitality of the farm to a wider area,” DeMaster said. “And we see everything that we do on the farm as hospitality.
“We're trying to feed people and to build people's health, really supporting the people that are looking to live a healthy lifestyle.”
Upper Macungie Zoning Hearing Board approved the use at a hearing Wednesday, clearing the way for its opening.
Kuklinski said he plans to settle on the property by Friday, March 8.
What would the store be like?
Tentatively named Willow Haven General Store, the grocery would be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
It would have three employees at any given time and 3,800 square feet of floor space. DeMaster's current shop on his farm, which would continue to operate, is about 400 square feet.
About 80% of the food sold would be from local farms, and the vast majority of the rest would be organic, DeMaster said.
Kuklinski said prices would be on the higher end but comparable with chain supermarkets.
“I think the people that are shopping for organic at Wegmans or Whole Foods are going to find that our prices are right at that level,” Kuklinski said.
Kuklinski said he and his wife support Willow Haven Farm mainly because of the health benefits of eating locally grown, organic food.
“One of our slogans is, 'Eat different, eat healthy. Put real food in your body,'” Kuklinski said. “Food is medicine. We wouldn't be so sick if people would just eat a little bit better.”
There is not yet a set opening date, but DeMaster said he hopes to open in May.
DeMaster said he will soon start a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the store. He said more information would be posted on the Willow Haven Farm Facebook page soon.
