Market brings pride for LaCrosse

The opening of the LaCrosse Market last month brought about a positive change not only for the LaCrosse community, but also for new owner Wendy Holliday. Born and raised in the county, Holliday was selected by the LaCrosse Community Pride board of directors to maintain the grocery store in the historic general store building.

The restored historic building provides a welcoming atmosphere to local customers, while still maintaining the historic elements unique to the building. The building, constructed in 1915, served as a mercantile or grocery business until 2009 when the community found itself without a local market.

The opportunity to bring a grocery store back to LaCrosse presented itself at a perfect time for Holliday, who had been unemployed for nearly a year after being laid off from her previous job. Holliday worked at the Colfax Grange for 18 years before the company went into a cooperative with another business and layoffs began.

Her father, Mike, is a farmer in the Benge area and heard about the open business owner position and approached his daughter about the opportunity. The idea of being her own boss quickly had Holliday considering the new career path.

Holliday has a long history of maintaining accounts and inventory from her previous experience at the grange. She began in the accounts receivable department, before moving on to accounts payable, and eventually ended her tenure at the grange as the general manager.

Currently residing in St. John, Holliday has two sons, Dallas and Chase, and commutes to the store every morning, splitting the hours with her mother, Bonnie. Running and operating the store has become a family affair, as Holliday explains her parents and occasionally her sister help during delivery days.

For Holliday, the most important part of the business is giving back to her customers and providing the local community with the products it desires. Perhaps the biggest surprise for Holliday was the high demand for produce.

“This community is really big on fresh produce. Especially bananas,” Holliday explained as she gestured at an already empty bin reserved for the fruit.

Spokane Produce delivers produce to the store twice a week, and Holliday works directly with Travis Carter, a previous resident from the area. Working with a representative who knows the local community has created a strong relationship between Holliday and the company, and she enjoys knowing she is directly benefitting a hometown individual.

“I’m getting new things in all of the time, I like to keep things changing,” Holliday said of the current inventory.

Holliday appreciates the support from residents in the surrounding areas, and especially the dedication of the LaCrosse Community Pride organization. Holliday explained that if she ever has too much of a product, members of the organization put out emails to encourage individuals to visit the store and buy the item instead of it going to waste.

Holliday takes all of her customers needs into consideration and looks into ordering specific products for community members if there is enough of a demand. For Holliday, the best part of her job is visiting with the people who come through the doors, and she wants to do all she can to help them.

Aside from providing a wide variety of food and supplies for the community, Holliday also strives to provide customers with the lowest possible costs. While a slight markup is necessary for the business to receive income, Holliday makes sure her prices are competitive and affordable.

Holliday continues to look into options to expand her inventory and services at the market, but is content with the current stock. She enjoys every day she spends in the market and is grateful for the immediate community support she has received since opening day.

The LaCrosse Community Pride group is still busy renovating the remainder of the building with the hopes of developing it into a community gathering place. The back room in the building is being converted into a library, and the entrance area will soon be developed into a social area and café style room.

In July of last year, Sterling Bank opened a branch in LaCrosse and now with the addition of the market, the town revitalization project is in full swing. The community is anticipating the opening of a deli across the street from the market in March.

The LaCrosse Market is open for business Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The market is located at 201 South Main Street.