Cassville Country Store

In February 2008 Mark and Betsy Whitsel approached HCBI about a possible venture in Cassville, PA. One year later, their possible venture has now become a reality.

The old-fashioned store offers full service grocery items and a food service menu, including breakfast sandwiches, pizza, hoagies, soup and much more. The business also features paint and basic hardware items and a variety of automotive supplies such as motor oil and windshield fluid. The business carries golf carts on a consignment basis. Craft items by Neelyton resident Lori Snyder are available at the store.

In the future, Cassville Country Store will carry Pennsylvania fishing licenses and items for spring gobbler season and it is the hope of the Whitsels to begin a farmers market in the Spring, offering locally grown fruits and vegetables to the public.

The Whitsels met with Director of Business Outreach, Susanne House, in February 2008 seeking assistance in business plan development, business counseling and possible financial assistance.

Terry Anderson, St. Francis Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business analyst, assisted the Whitsels in their business plan development and financial projections. Business plan development assistance through St. Francis SBDC is a free service to HCBI’s clients.

Because the Whitsels plan to sell fresh fruits and vegetables at their store and implement a local farmers market at their new location, the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is a possible funding program for the store. The FFFI is an innovative program that works to increase the number of supermarkets or other grocery stores in underserved communities across the state. By improving the food landscape, the initiative provides families with a wide variety of nutritious food choices.

FFFI is supported by a partnership of The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), The Food Trust and the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC). More information about FFFI can be obtained by visiting www.TheFoodTrust.org. The FFFI has funded over 27 stores throughout the state since its inception in 2004.

The Whitsels, with the assistance of HCBI, filed a pre-application for funding. Following the review of the pre-application for assistance, the Food Trust invited the Whitsels to apply for financing. The application is currently under review.

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