It’s Farmers Market Time

Every Tuesday, April through September, you can find us at the Big Bear Farmers Market

You can almost set your calendars to the dates of the Big Bear Farmers Market. This year, the first Tuesday of April happens to fall on the first day of the month. That’s right – April Fool’s Day! No joking. Well, the joke may be on us since the weather forecast is predicting snow! This follows a winter in Big Bear when we may have had two or three light dustings, not even enough to have to shovel the driveways. All of Southern California has had such a drought this winter, it has already caused the price of produce to jump to records levels. That will certainly impact the farmers, whose booths are a big part of our local market. Crops have been sparse, and the prices farmers may have to charge will probably be higher than in years past.

The price of Watkins products remains constant, so that’s something we don’t have to worry about. It’s more the threat of snow or rain. Since the hours of the market are from 8:30 am to 1 pm, that means we have to start setting up our booth around 7:30 am, not a task to look forward to even when the weather is good. Even though our tent provides some protection, we are still concerned that wind might be a factor, which could damage our Watkins products and displays. Somehow, we will manage.

Why do we do it, when the last year has seen a boom in our online sales of products, as well as the recruitment of new Watkins consultants to the All Natural Country Store Power Team? It’s to meet face-to-face with Watkins customers. It gives us a pulse on what local citizens are buying, and what they think of the Watkins brand. It’s such a joy when customers come up to our booth and say,”We use to have a Watkins man come door-to-door in our neighborhood when I was just a child. I’m so glad I found you here, and know that I can buy Watkins products at the Big Bear Farmers Market.”

And that makes it all worthwhile.

An All New Website for the All Natural Country Store

Our company expands its presence on the Internet with a detailed way to tell its story

First it was a feeble attempt to let North America learn about the Big Bear Country Store. Then we launched a blog to provide more information about us and the best things about J.R. Watkins products. Finally, we have created an expanded picture that shows our growing All Natural Country Store.

“It was about time to come into the 21^st Century,” according to Alan Lukes, the store’s technical guru that knows his way around a computer. It was the creative side of the of the partnership, David Gurzenski, who used his background in writing and marketing, to present the story about the store’s humble beginning, how we have expanded in the five years we have been of associated with Watkins Naturals, what we offer our customers, and how to become members of our Whole Shopping Club or our growing sales force scattered across North America – a group we call Our Power Team.

“This website (http://www.allnaturalcountrystore.net) will continue to grow as we enter new phases of our operation,” says David. We will always provide customers the level of service based on the philosophy held by the J.R. Watkins, founder of the company. He never wavered from that philosophy. Customers always come first. And neither will we.