preparedness supplies in the Northwest?

[Betho]

Just kind of rolling something around in my head. I've been able to find most of the preparedness items that I want locally (Gosh even Winco has a great bulk section with some unusual prep items) but there are a few things that I really would like to get but don't want to pay shipping.

For example, I really want to get Morning Moos milk drink instead of regular powdered milk. Except... I can't buy it locally and I just can't bring myself to pay the shipping cost on the stuff which ends up being just as much if not more than the cost of the product. There's a few other things like freeze dried foods, etc. that I end up getting online but would love to have a local source so I can justify getting MORE of them. I'd even drive several hours if there was a place, but the closest places that I have been able to find that have these items are mostly in Utah which is not a feasible drive for a day (when you have small kids, etc).

Am I missing something? I know there are TONS of homesteaders and preppers in this area (NE WA and N ID, etc), is there a place I can buy this stuff at?

And if not, that bears the question - do we think it would be a feasible operation for someone to start up a store that sells prep supplies?

[logbuilder]

The first thing that comes to my mind is to find the good health food stores. Lots of times they have the bulk items (rice, beans, peas, couscous). Most of the stores have a dedicated bulk section. You can get things by the pound or full bags (20# to 50#). All seem fresh and on some products you can get the organic variety but expect to pay more. If you want something that you don't see, ask them. They have access to more products than are on the floor. Do a special order.

Over here in Seattle area, I like PCC, Manna Mills, Whole Foods.

For rice, I go to the big asian markets. They have lots of varieties however we tend to like the jasmine. Buy in the largest bag for value. Rice seals in mylar very nicely. It usually draws up real tight from the work of the O2 packs and the solidly sealed ends. Don't let a kernal get in the seam.

No problem with storage so far. We rotate so we cycle thru as needed. Not a single problem that I know of. But.. we pack in mylar, slight vacume, liberal O2 packs. Not the cheapest model but it does work.

[Betho]

Well see, the basic items are no problem. Winco can order in bulk, and I have costco and a cash & carry where I can get most of the basic items no problem (oh and the mormon cannery is great too). Rice, wheat, beans, sugar, baking soda, salt, regular dried milk, honey, etc. I can even get cheese sauce mix and dehydrated refried beans at our Winco, along with a great selection of dehydrated veggies.

It's more of the more un-basic stuff I wish I could get... most stores don't carry freeze-dried vegetables, for instance. All of my preps are based on a "no electricity" scenario so I stick with freeze dried, canned, or dehydrated. But the only canned vegetable I like is corn, we normally use frozen in our daily use for the rest (or fresh) but for storage purposes I'm not going to realistically be able to stock that much in frozen veggies without a decline in quality like I could with freeze-dried. And the Morning Moos milk thing bugs me to no end, too.

I think basically my thing is, there are quite a few prep stores in Utah that focus specifically on selling items for long-term storage (Emergency Essentials, for example). Does anybody know of any place like that within a few hours drive of Spokane?

[Bonnie L]

Have you looked at the outfit that delivers to groups? I'm having a senior moment right now so can't remember the name. They're based in eastern Oregon & deliver all over the northwest. Anyway, they might have what you're looking for.

There used to be a place in Addy - Cover-Yur-Basics - but they are now out of business & the building is for sale.

[Bonnie L]

Memory kicked in - must have finally drunk enough coffee.
It's Azure Standard. They might have what you're looking for.

[NamasteMama]

Costco carrys morning moo,wheat, oats and other emergency prepardness foods. Check there. ;0)

[Betho]

Originally Posted by Bonnie L

Have you looked at the outfit that delivers to groups? I'm having a senior moment right now so can't remember the name. They're based in eastern Oregon & deliver all over the northwest. Anyway, they might have what you're looking for.

There used to be a place in Addy - Cover-Yur-Basics - but they are now out of business & the building is for sale.

OMG really? how perfect lol... should totally start up another one there! Now that you mention it I think I saw that storefront up there

Edited to add - I did see Azure Standard but I don't think they carry the Moos but they do have a lot of other stuff! Might be worth a trip.

[Betho]

Originally Posted by NamasteMama

Costco carrys morning moo,wheat, oats and other emergency prepardness foods. Check there. ;0)

Which Costco? The 2 in Spokane are out with no plans to restock I just called the one in CDA also but they said they don't have it.

I actually called the Blue Chip Group and they said that some walmart stores in the Tri-cities might start carrying it soon so that would be good

[Wayne02]

Originally Posted by Betho

And if not, that bears the question - do we think it would be a feasible operation for someone to start up a store that sells prep supplies?

And be profitable enough to actually make a living? Probably not.

I see a number of barriers to entry:

1) WA is not a business friendly state, check the taxes and regulations before taking the leap.

2) The pricing for a store front operation would have to be competitive with online pricing on an item to item basis, unless... (check qualifier below). People like the convenience of online purchasing, the low prices of online purchasing, and the ability to pay no tax on an item bought out of state.

3) There will be store-front competition for 'some' preping items via the giants like REI and Cabelas.

4) Many preparing items don't lend themselves to the, 'I need to put my hands on it before making a purchasing decision' category. For example, I don't need to put my hands on a Berkley before making the buying decision because there is not much variation, and there is a boatload of research history on the internet for reference. On the other hand, if I'm in the market for a new gun that I'm not familiar with, I really want to put my hands on it before making the buying decision as it is a highly subjective and personal matter.

5) A prepping business would be cyclical in nature. During times of more doom and gloom business would be good. Fear is good for the prepping business and Beck and company are a prepping businesses best friend. During times of relative stability (perceived or real) business would not be good, possibly even non-existent.

6) Market Timing. Everything is cyclical, including doom and gloom. Right now is the best of times to be a prepper or to be in the prepping business. One has to ask if the doom and gloom cycle is peaking right now or in the near future and will begin to stabilize and/or decline?

7) I'm a bit skeptical of the total size of the market, even during 'good' doom and gloom times. When we spend much of our time on prepping oriented forums we tend to think almost everyone is involved in prepping, yet look around you and observe all those people you see in day to day life. How many of them are, or are likely to become 'preppers'? I have a suspicion that number is smaller than most of us would like to believe.

Having said all this, there may be a business model that might work. I see the 'prepping' market as being very similar to other markets in that the 'hardware' (physical prepping items) are relatively cheap and easy to come by (internet or other), but the 'software' (knowledge and skills to actually use said items) is not so easy to come by. Yes, the internet has an abundance of how-to sites available but I still think there is a void there.

One of the most frustrating things as a consumer is to have access to the hardware but not the software. I think there may be a market for a business to provide the hardware and the software (in person). I think people would pay slightly increased prices for prepping items from a retail storefront if said store also provided hands on training/demonstrations on how to use said items. Everything from the relative complexity of preserving food to the relative simplicity of what and how to pack a bug-out bag. All in the name of driving people to buy all their prep products from you.

Think of a yarn shop that holds classes on spinning or knitting one night per week as a marketing method of driving customers to the store. The American consumer thirsts for trustworthy businesses with which to do business these days, and they can be very loyal customers, but first you have to get your hooks in them.

So you could:

Model #1: Open a storefront that offers prepping supplies AND free training/demonstration sessions. Use said classes as a means to sell your hardware products. You may want to sell via the internet as well since you have the product and some of the infrastructure already set up to do so.

Model #2: Open internet prepping supply business and set up a mobile trailer for on-site prepping clinics to provide the means of driving customers to your internet business website. Travel across the country to identified markets with your trailer spreading the prepping word and providing a taste of the skills and knowledge that people are thirsting for, in addition for a place to buy the products they now know how to use. Rent the meeting room at the local holiday inn just like the group that sells campground memberships do, and give your demonstration. May need to set up in the parking lot for some demonstrations - canning? Or maybe rent the little kitchen that many hotels have in the lobby these days. Hit the state fair circuit with your trailer and hook some customers in that venue. Maybe do the outdoor/sportsman show circuit. This idea has some obvious logistic challenges such as you will not be able to run the internet business/warehouse from the road so you will need somebody back at home base to that.

What you are doing with this model is essentially expanding the yarn shop concept to a much larger potential customer base. The market is physically constrained by the yarn shops location, you will only get so many customers willing to travel X far for the classes, but if you take the classes on the road...

The final step in this model could be to franchise the business, use other peoples money to help them pursue their dreams of being an 'independent' businessman, all the while you exit stage left as the demand curve falls off.

Having an business exit plan is as important as having a business start-up plan and if played right you might be able to ride the doom and gloom train of prosperity off into the sunset.

Sorry for the rambling, I tend to run off the rail on business topics.

[Betho]

Wayne.... very very interesting perspective. No problem on the rambling, I tend to love to read long posts like this I am an entrepreneur at heart and a business major so I tend to always have lots of "what if" type business ideas and so I love reading other people's thoughts on them.

I think you have some very excellent points. I have a couple ideas that could (or maybe not) give me an edge if I were to go into a prepping business, things that are not currently done or offered but I feel would be a good addition and assistance for someone just getting in to prepping... I would definitely sell online as well as in person just because I realize that in the area I would choose there probably wouldn't be a lot of natural foot traffic.

I love your idea about the training. I actually have thought of that a bit in terms of a CSA - that has been one of my "ideas" on how to make our property pay for itself and one thing I have a huge problem with is how your average consumer is so accustomed to opening a bag instead of prepping, etc... so there is a large amount of teaching that would really be involved and I love that part. I love doing cooking demos, etc. Also things like demoing my piteba oil press for people, showing people how to make soap, etc. I think if I had to choose I would go with option 1, I don't really have a desire to go out on the road but would be content with staying around home.


Actually the 2 main obstacles that I could initially think of is 1. the cost to start up would be significant since the amounts required would be so high and 2. it would put me in the public eye (also the govt) as a prepper which I am not certain I want.

[avandris]

Azure has some great prep items, but their few dehydrated veggies are high priced. I order from them every few months.

Honeyville has dehydrated and freeze dried fruits and veggies. Cheap shipping though some of that is put into the cost of the products. Great customer service. Unfortunately they are not generic boxes. What is in the box is listed on the side of it for the UPS delivery person to see.

Thank you for the heads up about the stores in the Tri-Cities. I will have to look the next time I am there.

[sage]

BethO,

Survival Enterprises is in Coeur d'Alene they have freeze dried food tho I don't know if they
have Morning Moos or not. I have been there a couple of times. Here is a link to their website.


http://www.se1.us/


sage

[Debbie in Wa]

Betho,
I make a trip to Spokane when hubby has his heart checked out. I didn't know about the Mormon cannery there. Could you please give me more info on it. I would like to know where they are located and hours of operation. That would be worth my 60 + mile drive up there to get things when I head to Cash and Carry.
Thanks so much for the info. You can pm me if you would like to.

Debbie

[Betho]

Originally Posted by sage

BethO,

Survival Enterprises is in Coeur d'Alene they have freeze dried food tho I don't know if they
have Morning Moos or not. I have been there a couple of times. Here is a link to their website.


http://www.se1.us/


sage

Hi Sage,

Thanks for that referral! I checked out their site and they do have freeze dried! Would be worth a trip for sure. I might call them and see if they have considered carrying moos, they don't have it now but my kids love drinking milk so much I want to make sure and get it vs. regular powdered, just even for the taste. I was talking to my Mom and she suggested just buying a pallet and offloading the rest via craigslist That could work I suppose but would be a good size cash outlay for sure, I'd much rather buy it somewhere.

Debbie - PM'd you

[Betho]

Well as an update for those local people I did call Survival Essentials and while they did not have it, the gentleman did mention that honeyville grain sells their own whey-based milk substitutes in regular and chocolate flavor, and they have $4.49 flat rate shipping. Somehow I had missed this, so I will definitely be ordering theirs and see how my kids like it. Let's hope they do!

[texican]

Opening such a business wouldn't work well for me... I'd not want to rent a space for the operation, and wouldn't want people that were prepping last minute to know that I had tons of prep goods on hand. And, it'd be hard for me to 'sell' or 'adopt out' the stuff after I got it.

It seems that most regions have their own variety of dried whole milk.

I usually ask my local stores if they can obtain something, before ordering online, to save on shipping costs.