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Bare Essentials Market Changing Hands After 27+ Years with Henderson, Underwood

By Jessica Isaacs

Ben Henderson is pictured at Bare Minerals Natural Market. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Ben Henderson is pictured at Bare Minerals Natural Market. Photo by Ken Ketchie.

After nearly 28 years of successful business in Boone, Bare Essentials Natural Market owners Ben Henderson and Mary Underwood are ready to pass the torch. They’re ready to tackle new adventures, and are leaving the market — a staple for healthy living in the High Country — to new owners, Dave and Catherine Reczek.

With knowledgeable staff on hand and thousands of the best natural products in the industry on the shelves, Bare Essentials has been drawing health-conscious shoppers from across western North Carolina, even some from eastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia, for well over two decades.

Now, as they prepare to hand the business over to the Reczeks, Henderson and Underwood are keeping their sights on the future of the market, which they say is bound to see continued success.

“I’m really excited for the future of Bare Essentials. We spent 27 ½ years building a business, and I believe we have found the perfect team of people for our successors,” said Henderson. “We started this business out of a passion for healthy food, products and supplements. Our successors have been in the industry long enough to have that kind of passion, but what they have that I did not have is a business sensibility. I think they will use the science of retail to create an even better Bare Essentials Natural Market.”

Henderson will work his last official day at the market this Thursday, but he’ll be on hand for a few more months to help introduce the Reczeks to the Bare Essentials family of customers.

Bare Essentials

Henderson and Underwood announced the business will soon change hands through a blog post on the store’s website, benaturalmarket.com, on March 7. In the message, the two explained their assurance in the market’s new ownership.

“The synergy that Mary and I felt upon meeting Dave and Catherine filled us with confidence that we’re not leaving 27 years of business behind, but rather nurturing it and preparing it for another 27 years of success,” Henderson wrote. “We truly feel that the continued innovation, commitment and experience that Dave and Catherine will bring to the business will serve you, our customer “family,” our employees and our vendors. In addition to all that Dave and Catherine bring to the business, they are genuinely good people who will make their own significant mark on the High Country.”

The Reczeks bring vast wealth of expertise to the market, which encompasses experience in marketing, homeopathy and herbal remedies, management, sales and natural foods.

“I’m honored that Mary and Ben have chosen me to continue the tradition of excellence they’ve created,” Dave said in a recent release from the market. “I’m excited to further develop the already extensive product offerings and exemplary customer service that currently exists at Bare Essentials Natural Market, and look forward to continuing to serve the community.”

Henderson and Underwood continue to share a love for the natural products industry and they’re proud of what the market has become for folks in the High Country.

Bare Essentials is located at 273 Boone Heights Drive and operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Check out the market online or call 828-262-5592 for more information.

Mary Underwood and Ben Henderson are pictured at Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Mary Underwood and Ben Henderson are pictured at Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Mary Underwood (center, with apron) is pictured outside of the original Bare Essentials storefront in downtown Boone, which housed the market from 1988-1998.
Mary Underwood (center, with apron) is pictured outside of the original Bare Essentials storefront in downtown Boone, which housed the market from 1988-1998. Printed in High Country Magazine/2010.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Ben Henderson is pictured at Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Ben Henderson is pictured at Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine.
Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone. Photo by Peter Morris for High Country Magazine/2010.