The family-owned grocery store has same high level of service as it did in 1959
The Molsberry family has worked hard to make their market a place where employees and customers feel welcomed and at home. This dedication has paid off; Molsberry Market has many employees who have worked with them for over 20 years, a handful who have been with them for over 30 years, and the store just celebrated its 55th anniversary in Larkfield.
Brian Molsberry and his two brothers, Joe and Dean, are the current owners of the market, and their sister works there as well.
“I think people shop here because we know our customers. We’re on the floor, we see our customers, we are true customer service. When an employee or a customer comes in, one of us knows them. People like that. We aren’t just a big corporate hiding in the back,” Brian said. “I’ve been here for 36 years so I’ve gotten to know the people who live in this area. I have people who come in here now who have their own kids and I remember them as a kid coming in here in their parents’ shopping cart.”
Brian’s grandparents, Milt and Tress Molsberry, opened Molsberry Market in 1959, and lived in the houses behind the Larkfield store. His great grandmother even worked at the market in the office in her 80s. The market was the sibling’s secondary house, Brian said.
His dad, Bob, and his two brothers Tim and Rick all took over Molsberry’s after the grandparents. Brian, Joe and Dean have owned the store for the last eight years. The store has undergone expansions and been remodeled since it first opened. Today, Molsberry Market has 77 employees, and 14 of those are family members. There are five generations of Molsberry’s working at the market; Brian and his siblings all have children working there.
“It works out good because we all have our own roles. I do natural food and gourmet, my brother Joe does regular grocery and my brother Dean is in the office doing behind-the-scenes stuff. All of us are out on floor, working side by side with our employees, which is kind of unique. Most places you go, you don’t see upper management working on the floor, they’re going to be in the office,” Brian said.
Molsberry Market at one time had three locations: in Healdsburg, Rincon Valley and Larkfield. The Molsberrys sold the store in Healdsburg to remodel the Rincon Valley location, but lost their lease before the remodel took place. The Larkfield location is now the only Molsberry Market.
The grocery store also plays a role in supporting its community. Molsberry Market has “always given back,” whether to sports, youth programs, or school activities like the music program. Brian is also on the board of the Mark West Area Chamber of Commerce.
At a Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 28, 4th District Supervisor Mike McGuire honored the Molsberry family for their 55 years of dedication to the Mark West Area community and their success in Larkfield. McGuire presented a Gold Resolution award on behalf of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to recognize the Molsberry’s contribution to the community. Several members of the Molsberry family were there. Seeing McGuire was nice for Brian, since McGuire officiated Brian and his wife’s wedding last year.
As for the future of Molsberry Market, it isn’t going anywhere, although Brian said he thinks he and his brothers will be the last generation of family owners.
“When we took over we decided this would probably be the last generation as far as what happens with the store’s ownership. We want our kids to go find a different career, none of them really have a big interest in what happens with the store,” Brian said.
Brian said that Molsberry Market making it 55 years feels good.
“It’s rewarding when I see someone walking down the street holding a Molsberry bag. It makes me have pride in what I do,” he said.
