When walking into Adna Grocery Store, it’s easy to see how much the owner Wendi Scott loves the community of Adna. Scott and her two sisters grew up in Adna and attended school from kindergarten through twelfth grade in the Adna School District. She moved away from the area for a bit in her adult years but never wavered in her Pirate pride. Scott returned to the community in 2018 with her young daughter to help care for her sick mother. She started working part-time at the store for the previous owners, Teresa and Randy Kempf.
The building has been a grocery store since the 1920s as a staple in the Adna community. Growing up, Scott always had a dream of what she would do with the Adna Grocery Store but didn’t see it ever happening. Her childhood dream became a reality when the Kempfs told her they were putting the store up for sale. The historical store has had several owners throughout the years, and Scott’s fear was that it would be bought by someone who didn’t have a passion for the community. She set up a meeting with the owners and before she knew it, she was the proud new owner of her favorite store.
Since becoming the owner, she’s made a few improvements. Adna Grocery now carries fishing and hunting licenses. The store also sells canned goods, dairy items, beverages and delicious homemade pizza made with fresh ingredients. The pizza is either take and bake or Adna Grocery will bake it in store. Scott is very open to hearing suggestions. “If anyone has an item they would like me to carry, just let me know and I will do my best to get it in the store,” she says. Her long-term goal is to carry more hot food and deli items.
Scott’s hope is to make the store a place people want to stop by. With her love for her hometown so apparent, customers do just that. Her favorite is when the store fills up with kids after school to get snacks. “There is not a lot of safe places for our kids to hang out,” Scott says. “I want to be that for our community!” She wants parents to feel comfortable knowing their kids are in a safe environment and would love to add a few arcade games in the future. There have been times when kids have come in and asked Scott or her employee Alicia Dieball to check in with their parents for them. “I love that,” says Scott. “I probably went to school with their parents and have their number in my phone already.”
Scott’s Pirate pride shows in the section in the store designated for the Adna Booster Club. She doesn’t make any money from the Booster Club items. “I am happy to help out the community in any way I can,” she says. “Plus, it brings people into the store.” Originally the spirit wear was available at Adna Middle High School only during lunch hour. Now, Pirate gear is available at the store, making it more convenient for fans.
Booster Club President Jennifer Wisner is appreciative of Scott’s generosity. “Adna Store has not only helped our community connect with our schools, but has also helped financially support our schools’ sports, clubs and activities by carrying the Adna Booster Club spirit wear,” says Wisner.
Photo credit: Stephanie Evans
In addition to food items and the Booster Club gear, Scott rents out shelves to local vendors to showcase their handmade items. The shelves are adorned with crocheted scarves, plates, handmade candles, wooden signs and many other handmade artworks.
There are cozy tables in the back of the store near the coffee bar, and Scott wants people to feel comfortable to come in to read the paper, drink some coffee and visit with their neighbors. She plans on adding a continental breakfast bar with cereal, muffins, bagels and doughnuts to the selections available in the future.
As a former event planner and wedding consultant, Scott really looks forward to planning many community events at the store. For Halloween, Scott is hosting an event with homemade chili and all the fixings.
When in Adna be sure to stop by the store, pull up a rocking chair, have some coffee with biscuits and gravy, and visit with Scott and the other awesome people in the quaint community. It’s a guarantee to receive a welcome with open arms. Customers are treated like family at Adna Grocery Store.
Adna Grocery Store is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday.
Adna Grocery Store
109 Bunker Creek Rd.
