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According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are more than 34 million small businesses — less than 500 people — which employ around 59 million Americans. The SBA still reports that small businesses account for 99.9% of companies. The numbers are staggering. Entrepreneurship is alive and well in the New River Valley and beyond.
Many are family endeavors, which was the case of an itty bitty store in a remote location in Giles County. Around 2006, an Amish family opened and ran a very small store for eight years. When they closed the business and moved on in 2014, it remained vacant for two years. Recognizing the need for a store nearby, along with figuring they could attract outside clientele with high quality merchandise, the Amish community in the White Gate enclave of Giles bought it and re-opened as a larger community store named Walker Valley Market. “We expanded the store by six or eight-fold,” states the manager, “and added on for storage and prep space.”
Like many small retail businesses, they have a mortgage, more than a dozen employees, utility bills, inventory to manage and merchandise to select, order, unpack, price, display and sell.
The Superior Quality Angle
Unlike many small retail businesses, Walker Valley Market carries an unusual variety of high quality merchandise one won’t find elsewhere or easily online. Of course, the Amish are famous for their homemade butter, cheese, pies, fresh bread, cookies and donuts (on Saturdays).
Bulk foods include candy, snacks, dry goods (staples like oats, flour, sugar) and frozen meats including grass-fed pork, beef, chicken, lamb and goat. There are farm fresh eggs, jams, jellies, maple syrup and honey, sorghum, plus unique bird feeders, wind chimes, throws, pillows, cookbooks and much more.
Indoor and Outdoor Furniture or a Small Home
Handcrafted Amish furniture is revered for its fine craftsmanship and premier wood. From dining room tables and chairs to bedroom suites and creative coffee tables, rocking chairs and home theater seating, the selection is brilliant, and the prices reflect heirloom quality.
For outdoor furniture, Walker Valley Market carries a large Amish-inspired selection of poly furniture which will not warp, wilt or break down in any weather conditions. The colors number more than a dozen if you want to order something specific. Adirondack chairs, patio tables, gazebos, pergolas and more are on display to raise the bar on your outdoor living spaces.
Should you embrace tiny home living and a minimalist lifestyle, you might just walk away with your very own log cabin. Actually, you’ll have to order it and have it delivered, but still, you cannot buy a tiny home in very many places where you can also pick up special salve and lotion, cleansers, organic (or not) flour, organic (or not) oats, interesting hand-packaged snack foods, a black hat and braided rug runners and placemats.
Horse and Animal Supplies
Locals are often here for liniments for topical issues and first aid supplies needed for livestock and animals, as well as replacement halters, lead ropes and tack. Walker Valley Market carries very fine, handcrafted, leather saddles made in western Kentucky. With competitive price tags for quality, affordability and performance, these saddles are coveted by Western riders for pleasure riding, working cattle or Western show.
Community Focus
Walker Valley Market is doing well, and once the mortgage is paid off, there will be more money to invest in their Amish community and its schools. “Our customers come from so many different places. We have locals, AT hikers, tourists from around the globe, and residents from the New River Valley, other parts of Virginia and many states,” the manager explains. “You don’t pop over here for a hot dog or because you run out of butter. People come for the beautiful drive, being on rural roads in the country, the experience, the variety, bulk foods and, most of all, for the quality of our merchandise and finding products you simply cannot find at any big box store.”
Bring a lunch appetite because hot dogs are just $2.49, curly fries are $3 and homemade soup runs $4 per cup. You can build your own sandwich ($7.49) with your choice of bread (white or wheat), meat, cheese, veggies and condiments. Or order the Reuben ($7.49), Walker Valley Deluxe (roast beef, smoked Swiss, $7.49) or the ubiquitous grilled cheese for $3.99.
If you are looking for a friendly place to shop, a wonderful country drive, unusual and useful merchandise, friendly folks and premium quality everything, Walker Valley Market is waiting to greet you. It is well worth the drive for the experience, quality, countryside and more.
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
