A business you can trust
Hello. This is The Glenwood General Store, I’m the Owner, Claude. Most of the locals call this place Claude’s. I think that’s a little pretentious, so well leave the name Glenwood General Store but you can still call me Claude.
Glenwood use to be booming logging town, several lumber mills existed here, as well as a lot of cattle and sheep ranchers. There use to be a Bank, Bowling Ally, Movie Hall, Drug Store, Motel, Barber Shop, Hardware Store, Cheese Factory, and several Groceries Stores. A fire sweep through the main business block of town on July 20th, 1933 burning half the town.
The Store was built in 1939 and has been providing services and a gathering place for the community for 83 years. It has had several Owners and additions over the years. I bought the store back in July 2007.
I lived here as a kid, my dad worked for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Mom being an Mexican immigrant, didn’t speak English, barely 18, and had no family in the states. The first couple of winters here were brutal. That being said, The Glenwood Community welcomed us. Mom joined The Women’s Club and learned a lot about local customs, traditions, and history. Neither my mom or The Glenwood Women spoke each others language but yet they were able to communicate and become friends.
We eventually moved to Husum, Washington but I always remembered how we were treated in this Community and vowed I would one day move back.
January 2007 my sister came to Seattle to a Seahawk game, she mentioned the Big C Grocery in Glenwood was for sale. The store needed a lot of attention and was on the verge of closing.
My plan was always to move back to Glenwood, but I wanted there to be something to move back to, a town center, a community. I made the decision in late January 2007 to take a leap of faith. I sold my house and business and bought the store. I moved back to Glenwood in July 2007.
In honor of my memory of Glenwood I wanted to create a friendly, welcoming place for the community, a place where people could get fast, friendly, reliable service. A place where all our welcome, a place you can trust to be there for you, a place to be proud of, a place you can call home.
Our Values
As a Customer that comes into our store, you have made a decision to patron our establishment. You will be greeted with a friendly, smiling face, helpful attitude, and treated with respect. All are welcome, whether you’re a Logger, City Folk, Cowboy, Cyclists, Local, Weekender, Biker, Hiker, Conservative, or Liberal. This is my promise to you.
How can we help you?
We are The Glenwood General Store, if we can be of any help or service to you, please let us know.
Meet the team
Claude McKenzie
Owner
Alicia McKenzie
Boss