Farmers Daughters Country Market & Deli, in Seneca, PA, is a specialty food store features deli meats and cheeses, fresh baked goods, and bulk food items. Farmers Daughters aims to become a niche business providing lower income residents with products that big-box stores and chain grocers seldom offer.
“Bridgeway really took a big picture approach, taking into account the jobs we would create and the products we would provide the community”
– Melissa Perry, Owner
Helping Hands
Bridgeway supported owners Melissa and Bruce Perry with a Growth Loan. The rural entrepreneurs used the funds to finance building construction, new equipment, and inventory purchases. Although equipped with a solid business plan and a sizable personal stake in the project, the Perrys were unable to secure financing from a conventional lender.
Owner Melissa Perry recalls that “Bridgeway really took a big picture approach, taking into account the jobs we would create and the products we would provide the community.”
Team Effort
The Growth Loan to Farmers Daughters is a prime example of Bridgeway’s collaborative approach. In this case, the referral source was the Clarion University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Bridgeway then partnered with Develop Erie, an established CDFI in the region, for project funding.
“We knew our experience and capital would be helpful in the region,” commented Mark Peterson, Bridgeway’s President and CEO. “We also knew that reaching out to local change makers ensures that Bridgeway meets the distinct community development needs of northwestern Pennsylvania.”