At Pepacton, it’s the little things that matter

Laurie Spaeth sells health and wellness

PROFILE SERIES This is another of Manor Ink’s interviews with business owners and managers who are women.

By Angie Hund | Manor Ink

Earlier last month, Manor Ink spoke to Laurie Spaeth, the founder and co-owner of Pepacton Natural Foods in Roscoe. Located at 57 Stewart Avenue, the shop was originally established in Downsville, but since 2017 it has been in the center of Roscoe.

Pepacton has made its influence felt throughout Sullivan County. The name “Pepacton” is derived from the reservoir of that name located in Delaware County. “It’s also a tribute to the Native American name of the river, so it’s echoing the history of the place,” Spaeth explained.

Laurie and husband Jack Spaeth aimed to open a store that would provide the community with affordable natural food. Along with clean organic foods, Pepacton sells a variety of natural products from body care items to vitamins and supplements. “Our products are the healthiest options in every class,” Spaeth said. “It’s healthy foods, it’s healthy body care. You know, for every purpose, from face to home. The big focus is on organic.”

Pepacton Natural Foods prioritizes providing the local community with access to good food and organic products for a reasonable price. Laurie and Jack Spaeth have become experts at locating quality food items from ethically conscientious companies and businesses.

“I really decide on the basis of what is the highest quality,” said Laurie. “For a good value. I try to buy from people who have a vision like mine.” Pepacton is also a family-oriented business staffed exclusively by family members. Children Stefan and Jade work alongside their parents in running the store year round.

Local farms came through

Local businesses struggled during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pepacton was no exception. “When I couldn’t get food from the distributor, you know who came through without fail? The local farms,” said Spaeth. “Our local farmers kept us in business. All of them. With the great food that they’ve grown and produced.”

Spaeth gets great satisfaction from the business. “The payoff is just the little things. It’s people thanking you for being here,” she said. “People say things like this is the best store in town. It’s just little things like that.”

Pepacton is popular among tourists as one of the only stores in Sullivan County to offer a variety of natural products at an affordable price. “Much of our sales are to people who are from out of town,” Spaeth said. “Whether they’re from Liberty, Monticello or Walton, or are visiting from Chicago.” The store’s strong social media presence, ranging from platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, also contributes to their success.

A lifetime of learning

Pepacton Natural Foods was originally started in 2001 by the Spaeths. Though she’s worked since that time as a retailer of quality foods and health products, Laurie remains interested in many other things. “I love to learn,” she said. “Anything – astronomy, chemistry, linguistics, history, geography – you name it. If I could, I’d be a student in the library all day, every day.”

A big influence in her life was a past employer who showed her how to run a health food store. “I learned a lot from her,” she said. “From that experience we were able to start this store. I would have to credit her. ”

Spaeth also learned about natural food from her childhood on a subsistence farm. She was largely influenced by her mother who valued good nutrition. “I grew up with wholesome food. And after I got married and moved away from the farm, I literally became sick and tired. It took a few years of living on supermarket food to realize that food is killing me,” she said.

“I’ve seen in my own life the difference the good quality food makes.”