From Pork Rinds to Community Groceries: A Rural Success Story with Kelly Perry of Perry's Pork Rinds

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa chats with Kelly Perry, co-owner of Perry's Pork Rinds and Country Store in Bronson, Kansas. Kelly shares her journey from starting an e-commerce pork rind business to owning a multi-SKU grocery store in a town of 304 people. Faced with numerous challenges, including licensing, food handling certification, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly and her husband transitioned from their full-time jobs to build a thriving rural grocery store. With a focus on community relationships, local sourcing, and innovative product offerings, Perry's Pork Rinds and Country Store has become a local favorite and achieved significant growth. Kelly's inspiring story underscores resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in community-focused business success.

00:00 Introduction to Retail Retold

00:22 Meet Kelly Perry: From Kansas to pork rinds

01:18 The Unexpected journey to retail

02:35 Building a business from scratch

04:19 Expanding during the pandemic

06:15 Creating a micro grocery store

08:30 Learning the retail ropes

11:41 Community engagement and produce programs

13:39 The popularity of fresh produce

16:01 The difference between pork rinds and cracklins

18:20 24-Hour access inspiration

19:50 Website impressions and social media

20:14 Sales and Growth Journey

21:25 Expanding beyond the store

22:24 Online sales and email marketing

23:40 Local sourcing and community engagement

26:24 Building the store and overcoming challenges

28:29 Unique products and customer service

32:05 Future plans and pork rind expansion

34:48 Fun questions and conclusion

From Accounting to Fashion: Valerie Warren’s Leap with Mabel’s Landing

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris welcomes Valerie Warren, the dynamic founder and owner of Mabel's Landing, a women's clothing store in Williamsville, NY.

Valerie shares her inspiring journey of stepping into entrepreneurship from over 30 years in accounting following the closure of a beloved local store, Mabel Danahy’s. She talks about her transition from accounting to retail, the process of setting up her store, and the challenges and successes she encountered along the way. Valerie discusses the importance of location, her selective inventory approach, and how she maintains a personal touch through unique offerings like gift wrapping and in-house alterations.

She highlights the value of having a supportive team and the vital role of vendor relationships in her business success. Listeners also get a glimpse of Valerie's love for the local community, her stance on shopping local, and her thoughts on possibly expanding Mabel's Landing in the future.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:23 Valerie's Background and Journey to Retail

01:28 Transition from Accounting to Retail

03:18 The Legacy of Mabel Danahy's

04:48 Starting Mabel's Landing

05:32 Building Relationships with Vendors

06:38 Choosing the Right Location

11:17 Challenges and Surprises in Retail

13:22 Customer Experience and Unique Offerings

18:44 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

20:14 Fun Questions and Conclusion

In this episode of 'What's in Store with Karly and Chris,' hosts Karly Iacono and Chris Ressa delve into the ongoing relevance of banks, drugstores, and movie theaters within the net lease sector.

They explore why banks are opening more branches, the challenges facing drugstores amid health care system complexities, and the sustained appeal of movie theaters despite rising entertainment costs.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:15 Hot Topics in Net Lease Sector

01:48 The Resilience of Banks

09:13 The Future of Drugstores

18:27 The Evolution of Movie Theaters

27:32 Conclusion and Farewell