Any small business, with a few years under its belt, has its share of ownership turnover. This is normal, as people retire or change directions. While change is often challenging, transition to new ownership can be healthy -- ushering in new energy and life.
In late June, I had the opportunity to visit several Washington DC area Great Harvest bakeries. Three of these stores have fairly new ownership. True to Great Harvest form, each is unique, reflecting independent-minded owners.
Warrenton, VA under the direction of Pablo and Linda Teodoro is a 2-year old bakery, brimming with new innovation and energy, and yet totally connected to the roots that have made Great Harvest so popular. It’s the epitome of the neighborhood bakery. I heard rave reviews from customers about the products and the service. One customer commented how good the bakery was for Warrenton, and the service was the best he had seen anywhere in the world!
Herndon (opened in 1990) and Ashburn, VA (opened just last fall) are owned by Tim and Jesse Groszkowski. Tim worked for Jack and Laurie Corkey, the original Herndon owners, for almost a decade before purchasing the bakery from them two and a half years ago.
Their path with new ownership was bittersweet when Jack passed away unexpectedly a year after they purchased the store. Jack was Tim’s mentor, as well as a dear friend and truly family in the best sense of the word. Laurie is still there to lend support and encouragement. Tim and Jess opened the Ashburn store last fall, a move Jack and Laurie had talked about for years. I was so touched by Tim’s tribute to what Jack had taught him as he showed me the new store and all the things he had done. Tim and Jesse are incredibly hard workers, and continue to bring phenomenal products and service to the people of Herndon and Ashburn.
Burke, VA, along with a satellite location in Lorton, VA is under the guidance of Jeannette Moler and Jeffrey Connelly. They came to Great Harvest with a great deal of business experience and in Jeanette’s case, food experience. She served as chef to some of the highest officials in government before choosing to purchase a Great Harvest. They both had the desire to do something on their own, and have brought great energy, innovation and focus to their new venture. They’ve met their market of high rents and competition head-on with outstanding results.
I saw in these three sets of owners an ability to draw on the roots and history of the Great Harvest brand, yet infuse new energy and passion to move forward in a vital and exciting way. History is good, but we can never rest on our laurels. I’m reminded of a quote from a 100+ year old man from Great Falls, MT. When asked how he survived and thrived for so long, he said, “Embrace change, even when it slaps you in the face!” How truly that applies to business as well as life.
Have any of your been to these bakeries? What did you think?
