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Gloria Shelton, Burrows Bay owner
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In November 1994 I lost my job after 16 ½ years with the same company. Like a lot of people, it was the result of downsizing. While I was searching for a new position, I enjoyed having more time to cook. Unfortunately, the high cost of the herbs and spices in the local market took me by surprise. I never paid attention to them when I had a paycheck coming in regularly. Knowing how important the right herbs and spices are to the taste of the finished dish, I felt that I had to spend the money. As I conducted an internal debate about spending that $2.79 for 0.2 oz of tarragon, two other shoppers came to the spice section and shared their amazement at the high cost of thyme and nutmeg. Where there is dissatisfaction, there is opportunity!
Since I had the time, I decided to ask the manager of the market why the price of dried herbs and spices seemed so high. He explained to me that the mark-up in the grocery industry is typically rather low: 40 to 50% vs. 100 to 200% for retail clothing, etc. The high prices result from the fact that the local market buys product from a jobber, who buys from a distributor, who buys from a wholesaler, who buys from the manufacturer. Each one takes their percentage mark-up. Add to that the cost of packaging and an even bigger price tag for advertising. For spices purchased in the world market you can factor in the cost of floods, droughts and civil war. You can see the results.
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Burrows Bay, Anacortes, Washington
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I checked into the price of herbs and spices from a wholesaler from whom I purchased bulk lavender for making sachets for my craft business. I talked with the local health department and the department of agriculture to find out what rules and regulations applied to this type of business. I checked into the cost of simple packaging materials. I realized that I could provide quality herbs and spices at prices lower than the name brands in chain grocery stores and still make a profit myself. In April 1995 I decided to go into the herb and spice business! Burrows Bay Herbs and Spices was licensed by the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture at that time and I started selling at the Anacortes Farmers’ Market and local seasonal produce stands in May. Although I started a new and even better job in June 1995, I decided to keep BBH&S going. I enjoyed the market and working with our local produce stands and found local stores that were interested in offering my products to their customers all year round.
Over the past seven years I have added more stores who carry Burrows Bay’s products and started doing spring and fall “craft” shows and summer “art” festivals. I have always had a small mail order business of repeat customers and their friends and family. With the growth of e-commerce, customers at the market and shows are always asking if I have a web site and now I can answer, “Yes!”
Gloria Shelton
Burrows Bay Herbs & Spices
P. O. Box 432
Anacortes, WA 98221
info@burrowsbay.com
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