When Yoder’s Amish Market shut down, J.R. and Rebekah Troyer saw it as an opportunity.
Yoder’s closed in March when owners Rick and Liz Smith — who also operate a market in Yanceyville — decided they couldn’t keep up with running two stores at once. The building didn’t stay empty for long.
The Troyers decided to revamp the old Amish market theme — expanding products, renovating the building and opening for business June 21.
Now it’s Troyer’s Country Market.
J.R. Troyer works in construction, but he said it had always been his dream to open a food store. Community grocers run in his family, and he remembered how fond he was of visiting a relative’s store in Tennessee when he was a kid.
“It’s kind of in the blood,” Troyer said.
His uncle, John Weaver, owns the building, and when Yoder’s went out, Troyer saw an opportunity and took it.
The Troyers decided that they wanted to offer more variety than Yoder’s did. In addition to doubling the deli and offering fresh sandwiches for lunch, they have much more for shoppers to choose from — a toy section, furniture, housewares, cosmetics and a baking aisle.
Phyllis Warner said her daughter is on a strict diet that makes finding the right items difficult. Troyer’s had the gluten-free products she needs.
Every colorful box on the shelves is packaged in the store. Troyer’s also arranges, prices, decorates and locally delivers gift baskets. Most everything in the store is local — from the bread to the sugar-cured ham.
Employees at Troyer’s pride themselves on keeping a clean, community-conscious environment.
“We want it to be family-oriented and friendly,” General Manager Teresa Chambers said.
She said she hopes people will see Troyer’s as a place to gather — a place to take a breath and spend the evening eating ice cream on the front porch with friends.
The store is refreshing, free from the harsh lighting characteristic of many grocery chains. When the furniture gallery comes in, it will be displayed on the building’s porch — and the Troyers won’t have any problems with customers testing items out by taking a moment to prop up their feet.
The Troyers said their main philosophy is God first.
“We want to be known for loving God. We want to be known for a friendly, caring atmosphere,” Chambers said.
All of the employees at Troyer’s make themselves available to encourage, pray or simply listen. They want to be known for their compassion, Chambers said.
The Troyers don’t plan to simply run a business, either. J.R. Troyer said he intends to be involved in the community and to make regular donations to local charity organizations.
While they still haven’t had a grand opening, business is booming.
Troyers is located at 4077 Statesville Blvd., near Hurley School Road. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Rebecca Rider is a Catawba College senior and an intern at the Salisbury Post.