By Joyce Bliss
Dave West and wife Karen are the owners of Brandon’s well-known Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium. “We have been here since 1995”, he noted.
[Dave] West was chosen, along with Mary Moore from the Cook’s Warehouse in Atlanta, by the Gourmet Retailer Magazine to speak at the Las Vegas Market.
“Taking a Bigger Bite” was the subject of the discussion and forum inviting him to give his views from an independent retailer’s position regarding the consumables market.
West said, “The event was presented by Anna Wolfe, Editor and Chief of Gourmet Retailer.” The event was hosted by the Las Vegas Home and Housewares Market.
He was selected due to his focus on consumables within his venues. The lifetime and warranty of hard goods at one time held most of West’s inventory. He has changed his focus to consumables to mix into his inventory. “Consumables are any item that customers will use up and then return to us to repurchase, enlightened West.”
Sampling items, partnerships with vendors, using social media for consumables as well as partnering with local manufacturers were areas that West was able to delve into. A question and answer from the audience was held with discussions including successes and failures, along with “how-to and where-to go” questions. The event lasted about 90 minutes and was well attended.
“It was an honor to be chosen to speak and share our success, thoughts and vision for this topic in the gourmet specialty retailer world”, West commented.
West has been a chef for 15 years. He earned his degree at the French Culinary Institute where he won the Jacques Pepin Award and received a grand diploma.
West commented that, “We have some guests who consider us one of the best places to eat in Brandon”.
Some of the specialty food items that are carried in the store include jams, jellies, sauces and mixes. He and his wife Karen also carry a variety of cheeses. Spices, salts, peppers and rubs are in abundance too.
“We stock approximately 15,000 kitchen items in a 3,500-sq. ft. retail store, West noted.”
For information about the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, call 653-2418 or visit rollingpinonline.com.
