The plan was to purchase and take over the business in the spring of this year, but plans changed, and Stephanie Pruess now finds herself as the new owner of Bee Hive Health Foods in Poplar Bluff.
The business was previously owned by Betty Pruitt, and she had acquired the store in 1980. However, after such a long time, Pruitt was planning to sell the business to Pruess — who happens to be a cousin — and the agreement was to sell in the spring. However, Pruitt died in December and Pruess had to accelerate her plans.
“We were sad when Betty died,” Pruess explained. “But we also knew that we would have to get going with everything because there was a lot of work to do. It was supposed to be a slow process of learning from her, but that changed.”
Pruess explained that she and her staff faced the monumental task of doing inventory for everything in the store.
“Betty had her own system,” Pruess smiled. “When you’re used to doing things a certain way after a certain amount of time, it makes sense to you, but it’s not always easy for other people.”
In addition to accounting for the large volume of stock, Pruess went through the process of signing a new lease and taking care of other necessities. Now the business has reopened.
“We have a lot of the same quality products that Betty had before,” Pruess explained. “I have assured my customers that we will continue to carry what they have been purchasing here. There’s no need to change something if it works.”
Some products, Pruess noted, will be added to the inventory in the future, but that is specifically to serve the customer base.
“I have a professional background as a registered dietitian and I’m an international board certified lactation consultant,” Pruess noted. “And Josh Shaw, who has worked here for a long time, is very knowledgeable about all of our products and what the customers are looking for. We’re going to continue to make sure that the customer gets what they need.”
Pruess explained that she will soon be adding some new products such as honey and soap, which are produced by local businesses.
“I’m very interested in offering more local products,” Pruess explained. “I’m very focused on natural ingredients that don’t use harsh chemicals or detergents. It’s more of a holistic approach. And I also want to support local businesses as much as I can and watch them all grow and succeed.”
Pruess explained she already understands the importance of keeping her customers happy.
“I’ve already had to assure some customers that we will continue to carry the brands they current buy,” Pruess remarked. “If you don’t listen to your customers, it’s pretty hard to stay in business.”
Pruess admitted she is happy the store was able to stay in the family after being owned for so many years by Pruitt.
“We actually laughed recently, because this store has had three owners, and we call it ‘the Three Ps’,” she laughed. “The first owners were named Pagett, then the second owner was named Pruitt, and my name is Pruess.”
Pruess explained that she has a desire to help people cultivate their health naturally, from a more holistic approach, and to support the human body’s systems to heal many things naturally.
“The body should function like a well-oiled machine,” Pruess remarked. “That’s what I want for everyone. My intentions are to be diligent about keeping and stocking quality products to help achieve these goals.”