Breaking Average Inspiration
Did you know that following your dreams will make an impact? Whether you feel your vision is big or small, your goal carries the potential to bring good things to the people around you. Meet Nicole Will and Jeremy Gordon, proud owners of The Two Owls Grocery Store located at 14 Broadway Street, Milton, PA. This couple is following their dream and impacting their community by providing locally produced and crafted products to patrons in their hometown.
Nicole and Jeremy opened their grocery store in September 2020 in the midst of Covid-19 Despite the challenges Covid has brought with it, they are doing a phenomenal job of bringing quality groceries to their community while maintaining their patrons’ well-being.
The Focus is on Local Growers and Artisans
The Two Owls Grocery store focuses on providing locally grown vegetables and meats, as well as locally crafted products. I was instantly a fan the first time I stopped at The Two Owls. This grocery store is not the size of the local chain stores. However, what The Two Owls lacks in size, it more than makes up for in quality. Jeremy and Nicole believe that eating natural, fresh foods makes people feel better, and their store supports this belief 100%.
I was curious to know more about what motivated Nicole and Jeremy to open their store, so I asked if they would tell me more about their journey. They informed me that Nicole came from New York City, where there was always a nice convenient option to buy quality groceries. Jeremy is native to central Pennsylvania and understands the importance of supporting local farms, makers, and growers. “Our store is a combination of these ideas and beliefs.”
Supporting Local Business
When I asked what drew them to the little town of Milton, they replied, “We live here! We thought a place like this would be great for our community.”
They weren’t kidding, Nicole and Jeremy listed some of the amazing local businesses they draw from for their store’s products. “We work with so many great people! Sunny Hollow Farms, Ross Family Farms, Milkhouse Creamery, Bread Service, David’s Delicious Delights, Pamela’s Brownies, Liam’s Luck Wood Craft, Boil Line Coffee, Mr. G Coffee, Columbia County Bread & Granola, Wild For Salmon, Forks Farm, Green Meadows Dairy, Basil Wood Fired, Soupie Bros, Di Rosco Arrosticini, Blooming Meadows, Landis Poultry Farm, Aucker’s Apiary, Ballengee Farms, Pompeii Street Soap Company, Escentially Annie, Gary Lietzel Pottery, Sunset Clayworks, Susquehanna Mills, A Drop in the Bucket, Boston Fisher’s Pierogies, Helen’s Pure Foods, Merzbacher’s Bakery, Conebella Farm, Blind Pig Kitchen, The Cookie Dude, Stripp’d, Good Juju Kombucha Company… we are trying to name all of them from PA! If we didn’t, we are sorry. To see them all written down, wow, we are so grateful to get to bring them all together!”
It is encouraging to know when you shop at The Two Owls, you are not only getting quality products, but you are supporting so many great small businesses and farmers too! Totally a win-win!
The Basis for the Idea
The store has so many great items, including sustainable, fair trade, and organic products. I wondered if they had a passion for supporting these types of products. Nicole and Jeremy replied, “Yes, all of these, but locally made and grown, was the basis of our idea before we opened. We love organic and healthy, though supporting other small businesses and farms is what we are most passionate about.”
While on a recent shopping trip to The Two Owls, I noticed some delicious freshly prepared meals in the refrigerated section. I asked the couple, “Do you make these yourselves? The meals always look so amazing.”
Nicole and Jeremy told me they work with a local individual for these deliciously prepared meals. “We were lucky enough to collaborate with Joe from Tomahawk Tacos early on. So, he has been the driving force in most of what we offered in prepared foods… And we found during quarantine, when cooking/baking at home became the thing to do, that this area could use another quality, healthy option.”
Responding to Covid-19
We all know too well the impact Covid has had on our lives, and small businesses have really taken a hit. So I asked Nicole and Jeremy how Covid has impacted the way they run their business. “We opened during the restrictions caused by Covid, so we don’t really have a barometer to gauge the impact. We knew the market would be an essential business. We’ve been diligent about sanitizing and mask-wearing and are looking forward to the vaccine.”
The store also has the option of placing an order for curbside pickup. To do this, simply go to thetwoowls.com and choose the order for pick-up option.
The Benefits of Working with Your Significant Other
Having worked with my own husband a time or two over the years, I know being both a business owner and co-worker can be fantastic and stressful at the same time. After learning that Nicole and Jeremy were a couple, I had to ask how they managed to work together. Their reply was truthful and inspiring, “Haha! Yes, we are a couple, and if we said it’s been easy, we’d be lying. It’s taken some time to figure out how to separate our business and personal relationships. But you can’t beat getting to work with your best friend every day!”
How To Support the Two Owls
Nicole and Jeremy are living their dream and impacting their community for the better. They are offering a place for individuals to purchase local produce, meats, and baked goods daily. They are also giving local artisans a place to sell their hand-crafted products. It is inspiring to think about the number of local people The Two Owls impacts.
Be sure to check out The Two Owls Grocery Store’s website Thetwoowls.com. Follow them on Facebook at TheTwoOwls.localgrocers. and on Instagram @thetwoowls_localgrocers. For all you locals… be sure to stop in and support this great local business. Your purchase will have a direct impact on the community!
Want to read more about the two Owls? NorthcentralPA.com featured an article about the store written by Emma Downey on September 15, 2020.
Are you already a frequent shopper at The Two Owls? I would love to hear what your favorite products are. Let me know in the comments below.
Chasing Your Dream
Your dream can bring so many good things to those around you. Like, Nicole and Jeremy, following your dreams will make an impact. Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
Do you need more inspiration to bring your dream to life? Check out other people who are living the breaking average life:
I love going in Two Owls, taking my time and seeing all the different items they have to offer me. I love so may of the products they carry, but amongst my favorites are Green Meadows Kitchen’s stuffed sweet peppers and chow chow, Conebella Farm’s yogurts and smoothies
Marina, these things sound soooo amazingly good! Thanks for sharing your favorites! I will have to give them a try! 🤗