‘We’re old school’
Kauffman Family Marketplace owner reflects on 25 years in business
Two-and-a-half decades after relocating far from his roots, Harlan Kauffman feels very much at home.
“It’s really been an incredible 25 years,” said the owner of The Kauffman Family Marketplace in Smith Township. “It’s really humbling the way the Burgettstown area and the community have supported us. We’ve seen a whole generation come and go.
“We’ve really enjoyed serving the community. They like what we have to offer. “We’re old school and try to offer old-school service.”
They also offer a wide variety of foods, including organics and natural foods. There is a deli, managed by Adin Stoltzfoos, which slices meats and cheeses to order and provides sandwiches. There are homemade baked goods as well.
Kauffman’s has indoor shopping and pickup service and arranges for delivery of some products. Twenty-five are employed there, including Harlan, who is of Mennonite heritage, who moved his family from Bird In Hand, near Lancaster, a quarter-century ago to western Washington County. He was new to this area, but familiar with the food industry. He said he grew up in the retail fruit business and began working when he was 12.
He launched the marketplace on a tract that had previously been the Farmall Tractor business. He has a large, framed photo of the Farmall property from the 1950s or ’60s.
Kauffman and his wife/assistant built up the marketplace, located at 1718 Smith Township Road. It began bearing fruit – literally and figuratively – sooner than he anticipated.
“I didn’t expect to be profitable for a number of years, but the community embraced us and made us successful,” Kauffman said.
Food isn’t the only attraction on the Kauffman’s five-acre property. There is a range of outdoor furniture on display outside: wooden and poly swing sets, play sets and lawn furniture.
Signage for the marketplace includes a display for Yoder’s Backyard Structures marketplace.
“Yoder’s was the building partner,” Harlan said. “We own it now and kept Yoder’s name. The items outside, he added, “are from Mennonite and Amish craftsmen in Western Pennsylvania.”
Five of Esther and Harlan’s six children are among 25 employed at the marketplace. They are Rylan, Amanda (store manager), Erika (accounting), Marcina (graphics, advertising) and Arthur (information technology). Son Carson resides in the Lancaster area.
The Kauffman Marketplace has been an exhilarating ride for all.
“We became the country grocery store here,” Harlan said.