Written by Cassidy Leighty

Photos by Cassidy Leighty

Are you getting bored with your biweekly trips to Walmart or Price Cutter? Always getting the same grocery staples and never spicing up your shopping list? If you have been craving a change of scene when it comes to grocery shopping, Culture Counter Commons is a breath of fresh air.

With a major focus on organic and locally made products, Culture Counter carries a wide variety of things from made-in-house vegan/gluten-free treats to distinctive produce you can’t find in a normal grocery store.

The owner of Culture Counter, Bryce Gott, describes his store as a “fresh-format market and cafe specializing in local and/or certified organic produce and packaged items. This includes basics such as bread, meat, cheese, eggs, produce, spices, various spreads, and baked goods which we also up-cycle into scratch-made fresh foods.” In addition to the products sold on the shelves of Culture Counter, the grab-and-go style cafe offers waffles with sweet or savory toppings and breakfast burritos until 2pm, a soup and salad bar (all day every day!), smoothies, cold-pressed juices, homemade custards, and all-organic vegan ice creams.

The creation of Culture Counter came to fruition when Gott was inspired by the time he spent in Portland Oregon. “In Portland, clean food was abundant and accessible. I moved back to Springfield with the hopes of instigating that here and connecting people with the earth through food”, says Gott.

But Culture Counter is more than just a market and cafe. “The concept for Culture Counter originated as the foundation for a non-profit farm education organization I founded, but when the board voted it down I decided to do it as a for-profit business with hopes to house educational workshops related to foraging, farming, and facilitating clean options in the Ozarks.”

In addition to the made-in-house products that Culture Counter carries, they also sell a wide variety of locally made products. According to Gott, the top-selling local items in the store are Prairie Pies’ mini pies and savory pot pies, The Peaceful Baker’s gluten-free and vegan baked goods, Jake’s Vegan Burgers’ meats and butter, Terrell Creek Farm cheeses, Peace Valley Poultry chicken, Circle B Ranch pork products, and fresh produce from both Urban Roots and Millsap Farms. In fact, all of the packaged items sold in Culture Counter are made by small local businesses.

When asked if he had any advice for someone who is considering opening their own business in Springfield, Gott says, “buckle up, eat well, and drink lots of water! It will be the hardest thing you will likely do in your lifetime. Also, a clear and concise business plan acts as a great road-map to realizing your dreams.”

The unique product selection that Culture Counter offers sets them apart from other health food stores in the area, and their convenient location on Pickwick Avenue helps them catch the eyes of potential customers.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Culture Counter yet, they will be hosting a 2-year birthday and post-Covid Grand Opening on June 11th of this year from 8am-2pm. This event will showcase some of their vendors as well as live music from local artists! Additionally, the Pickwick Street Fair will be all day on June 25th with local artists, live music, and lots of fun activities. So if you happen to be in the area this summer, check out Culture Counter located at 607 S Pickwick Ave.

Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing kombucha on tap, ice cream float, some unique grocery staples, or even just a calm, welcoming environment to spend a beautiful summer day, Culture Counter has got you covered. Be sure to check out a few of Bryce’s personal favorites: the Garden Harvest topping on a sweet potato waffle, Banana Split smoothie, or the Beet the System juice! And follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with new products and cafe menu items. Instagram: @culture_countersgf and Facebook: @CultureCounterCommons