The owners of the Harter House store in Strafford are closing in on a purchase of Country Fresh Market in Shell Knob.
Brad Bettlach, who owns the Strafford store with his wife Angela, said the deal is expected to close April 5 for undisclosed terms with sellers Larry Gayer and John Porter. The day the purchase closes, the Bettlachs will convert Country Fresh Market, 24988 State Highway 39, to the Harter House brand. Country Fresh Market has operated in Shell Knob for 12 years, Brad Bettlach said.
“It’s the only store for 20 miles. We want to still have everything available,” he said of the decision to keep the store open during the renovation process.
Bettlach said a first phase of changes could cost between $40,000 and $120,000, depending how much signage costs. Bids are currently out.
Other initials plans include installing full-service meat cases. Later renovations would comprise a remodel of the store. Bettlach said the timing of further renovations will depend on the store’s performance.
“The first initial round we hope only takes a month or month and a half so we’re ready for the tourist season,” he said.
The Bettlachs say they’ll retain Country Fresh Market’s 54 employees.
The Shell Knob store will be the seventh in the Harter House chain owned by the Bettlach family and the second owned by Brad and Angela Bettlach. The company currently has two stores in Springfield and one each in Kimberling City, Hollister, Nixa and Strafford.
