Melvin's Fir Street Market opens

Many locals have fond memories of the Sisters Harvest Basket. Melvin Herburger's humorous quips and organic offerings made shopping fun and healthy. Melvin and Sandee Herburger had the store from 1998 to 2006, and when they sold the business, they were sorely missed.

"There hasn't been a day that went by since we sold the store that I haven't had someone come up and ask me to start another one," said Melvin.

After a few years, Melvin began to agree with them. The trouble was, he didn't have the resources to do it. That's where Rebecca Sokol stepped in.

"Rebecca deserves a special thanks in playing a huge part in making this dream come true," said Melvin. "When I approached her about it, she wanted in immediately. She saw the need for another grocery option in Sisters."

The new store is a similar model to the Harvest Basket, but they've broadened their horizons with more specialty items. There's a customer wish list at the front counter to let Melvin know what people want to buy in the store.

"I want people to be able to come here and get their groceries in town and not have to pay $4 a gallon to drive to Bend," said Melvin.

There's room on the shelves that will be stocked with items people have requested.

"Let us know what it is you're used to having to go to Bend to get, and we can get it for you here," he said.

Another niche Melvin is filling is providing a venue for locally produced products. They have farm-fresh eggs, produce from Rain Shadow Organics when possible, and La Petite Savonnerie soaps in stock. Flowers from Poppies are for sale out front in an old wood wheelbarrow. They also carry Sisters Coffee, Deschutes River Ranch beef and Pam and Mac's Pottery.

Melvin's Fir Street Market is partnering with Cork Cellars to offer a vast wine selection.

"You could say we're a good pairing with Cork Cellars," said Melvin.

Rick and Nadean Murray will eventually move their entire inventory to the store.

"They're coming in full-time, sometime between this afternoon and the end of September," Melvin said. There's several hundred bottles of wine for sale with prices ranging from easily affordable to "special occasion" bottles.

Melvin's settling in well in his new endeavor. He's hired seven people to help him handle operations.

"There's me, Sandee and my mom. I should count her as an employee, but I'd rather count her as a mom instead," he said.

There's a family feel in the store that includes easy smiles, playful joking and a real interest in whoever walks through the door.

The Herburgers are deeply grateful for the support they've received from the community. "I can't thank people enough," he said. "We had so many people drop by while we were remodeling and ask if they could help out."

The store was set to open on July 1, but couldn't when calamity struck the morning of opening day. "I had a cooler turn into a freezer," said Melvin. All the produce in the cooler was ruined and had to be composted.

"Even though we had a sign out front saying that we wouldn't be opening that day, folks pushed past the sign and asked if they could help. The overwhelming kindness of the community and how happy people are to see us back is pretty cool," he said.

As the store kicks into gear, Melvin wants to invite everyone to come in and give him their feedback.

"I hope people will be patient with us as we grow into what they want. My name's on the building, but it's really the people's store," he said.

Melvin and his crew invite people to come in and check out the store.

"You can tell me what I'm doing right and what I can do better," he said. "The door's been a windmill of people congratulating us and giving us great ideas."