Winter Ridge celebrates new look with grand re-opening

SANDPOINT — The community is invited to help Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market celebrate its fresh, new look at its three-day grand re-opening celebration this weekend.

The store recently completed a remodeling project and now sports a new look to its logo, new display cases, fresh paint and signage, revitalized shelving, an expanded produce section and other improvements.

This weekend, visitors to the store will enjoy live music provided by local musicians including Karen Pogorzelski and Joel Shoemaker, Holly McGarry, Marty Perrin and Mike Strain.

Friday is local day and local producers will offer product samples. Companies represented will include Cascade Creek Farm, Evans Brothers Coffee, Lifestyle Granola, Laughing Dog Brewery, Vern’s Veggies and Joseph’s Spices, Wheyward Goat Cheese, and Gebardi.

On Saturday, other great natural and organic foods companies will provide samples, and between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. KPND will broadcast live from the store.

All weekend long, there will be door prizes, specials and a free raffle for a Trek Cruiser bicycle. Every morning Winter Ridge’s organic deli will offer free cookies and coffee.

Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market was started in 1997 by Gregg Prummer when his son was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Prummer found it hard to find gluten-free food in town and decided to start a store that would cater to different dietary needs. He also used his knowledge of herbs and homeopathics to offer a large selection of supplements. Winter Ridge quickly became a successful full service natural foods store.

In 2010, Greg sought to expand Winter Ridge’s offerings and visibility. To that end he hired Vicki Reich as merchandising manager. Reich, who managed the Moscow Food Co-Op for many years, is the founding manager of Sandpoint’s Six Rivers Market.

In addition, Prummer contracted with local designer Kristie Sherrodd to update Winter Ridge’s logo, color scheme, advertising and signage. A contest was held to find a descriptive tagline for the store, and Sandpoint resident Amy Hanson’s entry — “Shop Outside the Box” — was selected from the dozens of entries received.

Today Winter Ridge is a vibrant and attractive store featuring organic produce, an in-house made-from-scratch deli, local free-range meat and eggs, green household goods and a diverse selection of supplements. It is a completely locally-based enterprise employing 16 people, purchasing local products and services, and further supporting the community by donating more than $14,000 in goods and services to local organizations in 2010 alone.

Winter Ridge Natural Foods is located at the corner of Boyer and Lake streets in Sandpoint.