I’m Opening a Business!!!

I’m excited to introduce Core Goods, a store I’m opening in my hometown selling bulk foods, produce, grab and go meals, kombucha on tap, and more.

The past few months have been a whirlwind and I can’t even believe that in just 9 days I’ll be opening the doors to my own business.

I always had a thought in the back of my mind that I would want to own a business someday, but I never really knew what it would be and I figured it’d be quite a few years down the road. Now here I am getting ready to open my own store, and I can’t even tell you how overwhelmed/scared/excited I’m feeling.

A lot of different things came together at the same time to make this happen. While working for the chamber of commerce, I met Shaun and Marie who owned multiple businesses in Oil City–Yellow Dog Lantern Restaurant, Northside Eatery, and Karma Coffee Company. They decided to merge Northside with Karma, and serve lunch at Karma instead (the kitchen and dining area are much bigger and it’d be easier to operate during lunchtime in just one spot).

I actually got asked to write an article for our chamber newsletter about their change, but not once during our interview did I think about the Northside space possibly becoming a new business owned by me. It wasn’t until I visited a store in Harrisburg where my sister lives called Provisions that I got the idea for this concept. I absolutely loved the ability to fill my own jars at the bulk bins and the variety of health foods they had. It was when shopping there that I thought “This is it.. This is what my business could be!”

After a lot of brainstorming and contemplating, I realized how difficult it would be for me to start a business like this on my own. Where would it be? How will I learn how to run a business? How would I get the money to do it? Then Shaun and Marie came to mind–they have an empty storefront and business experience, and I was sure they’d be willing to mentor me.

Although I was pretty familiar with them, I was still SO nervous to approach them with my idea. As we sat in Karma and I’m shaking with nerves, I finally blurt out “I have a business idea!” I told them all about it and showed them photos of Provisions and similar stores and they said they actually were thinking about ideas for the empty storefront, including a little market or deli, so something like this is perfect.

I hoped for them to agree to give me advice, but never did I expect for them to want to partner with me. Now it’s six months later and we’re about to open Core Goods.

This whole experience has taught me so much, and I honestly don’t know how I would have done it without this partnership. While I have the passion and the marketing experience, Shaun and Marie have the business expertise and connections, and it has worked out wonderfully.

I’ve had an amazing time doing the branding and marketing, communicating with local farmers, choosing items to sell, traveling to pick up what we need, talking to excited future customers, and learning the ins and outs of owning a business. I know it won’t be easy and I’ll have days when I wonder why I decided to do this, but it will be 100% worth it. Getting to share my passion of food and wellness and helping my community is a dream of mine, and I can’t believe I’m getting to do it before I’m even 25 years old.

If you’re close to Oil City or willing to make the drive, I hope to see you once we open! We’ll have bulk bins with goodies like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, rice, and beans (mostly from Frankferd Farms); a variety of produce from local farmers (Baytree Farm, Bend Farm, Broadfork Farm, Clarion River Organics, Plot Twist Farm); healthy grab and go meals; and kombucha on tap from Moody Culture in State College.

And I want to say THANK YOU to anyone who has had a part in this. If you’ve lent a hand, provided advice, or even just shared your excitement and encouragement, I truly am appreciative and thankful for every single one of you.

The Core Goods Grand Opening is on Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we will also be open on Sunday, September 30, from 12 to 5 p.m. Our regular hours will then be Thursday-Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 12-3 and we are located at 219 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA. To learn more about the store, visit core-goods.com.