GSV Highlight: The Kitchen

Introduction from Doug and Shannon Weaver:

We started our business in 2001. It is always growing and evolving. The center of our work has always been about serving the community by making delicious, vibrant food that is sure to make people smile. We have always been dedicated to using fresh, local ingredients in our mustard, jams, and other food products. Our Idaho gift crates have long been a staple of the Holiday season, featuring over 40 locally-produced items. For the last six years we’ve hosted the summer Lavender Festival which draws people from surrounding areas. This event features pick-your-own lavender, live music, craft vendors, a masseuse, and delicious food. We make many products with the lavender we grow including soaps, scrubs, lotion bars, sachets, and eye-pillows. We would like to thank the community for the continual support and we look forward to another great year! 

Please note that we are offering a seasonal shop in Salmon at 113 Center St. for holiday shopping!

Who gave us the inspiration to start our business? 

Doug was employed with the United States Forest Service working as a forester. He began having difficulties at work and was soon diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. After we accepted this harsh reality, we began searching for a new business need. Salmon Valley Cheese had just closed and we were looking for an opportunity to further the locally made gift idea they offered. We bought Just Say Cheese from the former Manager Jodi Douliard and started our local Idaho Crate Business alongside the catering and Idaho local artists and Ponderosa Gallery.

What makes our business unique?

We make over 40 local products including; mustard, jams, spices, candies, lavender items, soaps, balms, scrubs, lotions, etc. Our signature product is Weaver’s Hot & Spicy Mustard which uses local honey and homegrown jalapeños from several family gardeners. We have managed to keep our business running despite the ups and downs with illness, surgeries, new locations and tough times. Doug has been living with Parkinson’s Disease for 22 years.

What are our goals and dreams related to The Kitchen?

We finally have a website! Our ultimate dream is to one day be in Edible Idaho! (photo below from website)

As business owners, what would we like to see in our community?

We would like to see more jobs which include local food items; canneries, meat packing, living wage jobs.

How do we contribute to the community?

We volunteer whenever we can through our church, businesses and local chamber. We also work with educating the youth (i.e. mentorship, senior projects, etc.)

What does prosperity mean to us, living in Lemhi County?

Prosperity to us embodies living within our means, using less, and supporting each other more. Salmon needs more jobs so that folks, young people especially, stick around. We also believe that a mobile meat processing unit should be in town. A place that grows more food and could process beef, chicken, lamb. etc.