Country Store delivers a new shopping option

SANDPOINT — Rod Miller knows that nothing quite tops the sights and smells in Mom’s kitchen after some chocolate chip cookies emerge piping hot from the oven.

That’s why he and his wife, Nanette, seek to translate the feeling into a market environment with their new business Miller’s Country Store located on the corner of North Division and Baldy Mountain Road. An expansion of Miller’s Handyman Services, his goal is to create both a pleasant atmosphere and a convenient shopping spot.

“We see the business as a service to the community,” he said. “We want to run the store as a pleasant place where people can stop by and feel at home.”  

To that end, the Millers are stocking quality products, emphasizing locally-produced goods when possible — from Snacks, candy, deli goods to baked goods and other food items. Their fresh-baked bread, cookies and pastries as particularly popular, the couple said.

“They’ve got the kind of quality you just can’t find in mass-produced items,” Rod Miller said. “People know that fresh taste and I think they really look for it here.”

The Country Store employs a business model that takes advantage of the lower costs associated with large qualities. Instead of forcing the consumer to buy in bulk, however, the store does the heavy financial lifting while maintaining the low price point.

“Basically, we buy in bulk and pass on the savings to our customers,” Miller said.

The Country Store maintains connections with nearby Amish and other Mennonite communities. It also is supportive of farmers’ markets and other local food sources. In the Millers’ minds, the movements not only have positive social qualities but also create very high-quality goods.

Those connections will obtain increased importance if the Millers are able to expand the business into furniture sales as they hope. Eventually, they want to sell the tables, chairs and other household items fashioned by master Mennonite craftsmen.

“They really do beautiful work,” Miller said. “It would make a great addition to the Country Store.”

One of the Millers’ more short-term goals is to set aside a small dining area within the store. Rod Miller says the addition would build on their ambition to make the store a pleasant place to linger, grab a bite and read a book.

“We hope people will feel welcome and comfortable here,” Miller said.

In the meantime, they encourage the public to make full use out of the business’ handyman services or drop by to grab a fresh-baked cookie.

“Everyone so far has been very supportive of the business and have offered us many kind words,” Miller said. “We’re really happy to be here.”

The store is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

Information: 265-5506