Down Home Discount

Past blog posts have taken a look at different farmer’s markets I have attended.  In this post I am excited to share a story about a little different place to find farmer market items.  When I am in the Cody and Powell, Wyoming area, I always stop by to shop for great deals on foods and other items from Down Home Discount.

Down Home Discount in Powell, Wyoming offers a unique service to both local farmers and area consumers.  Staying within the local and state laws they provide a venue for goods to be available from producers in the surrounding area.  Keep reading to learn exactly what locally produced food you will find.

What: Down Home Discount
Where: 410 South Clarke Street
Powell, Wyoming
When: Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday 8 am – 4:30 pm

This store opened in August of 2017 as a place to purchase name brand products at a reduced price.  While some products are out dated or dented, most of their merchandise is with in a use by date and with no damage at all. Use this link to read about purchasing items that are damaged or past the date. Since their purchase price is a fraction of what other stores in the area pay, they are able to pass these savings on to their customers.  Owned by a local family with 4 children, they understand the struggles of making ends meet and are excited to offer a lower priced option to the public.  A fun part of shopping here is the excitement of discovering what great deals are available each week. Along with groceries DHD also offers a variety of household wares, clothing, and personal hygiene items at a fraction of prices at other locations.

I enjoyed sharing in the opening of Down Home Discount located at 410 South Clark St. This store owned by the Ruckerts was about 3 to 4 years in the making.  After many conversations, meetings and plans it felt like a dream come true to finally have their store open.  As with most new business ventures, there were and are details to be figured out.

Meet the Owners

Both Brad and April grew up in the Midwest on a dirt road, but not the same one. Brad on a dairy and crop farm and April in a 5-acre woods that included many different animals including horses and goats. Now longtime residents of the Cody/Powell area, they have settled here to raise their own family of 4.  Often, on the trips back home they found enjoyment and value in the many discounted stores thriving in their hometown and surrounding area.  It was here the dream began to bring this shopping option to their neck of the woods in Wyoming.  I admire the fact that it was at least 4 years in the making.  The many steps and meetings as the researched this dream.  Tenacity is a character trait they both carry, although they may or may not realize its presence. 

I was scheduled to be on hand for the grand opening. However, a death in the family, left me with a decision to make and I choose to stay home for the funeral.  I enjoyed helping in the store when I did arrive in the first few weeks it opened

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Local Farmer’s Contributions

The Ruckert’s understand the importance of supporting local business and the health value of local produce and other foods.  Happily, Down Home Discount has made space in the store for local vendors to display their wares.  Along with finding great deals on groceries and other products you will find some of the same buying options as if you were attending a local farmer’s market.  Keep in mind these items are going to support local families and may not be discounted, but their value comes in the form of health and homemade/produced goods.

Local Baked goods
Local Dairy Products

Farm Fresh ice cream is one of the items available at the Powell store.

Mexican Cuisine
Local crafted Tamale after being purchased and then cooked at home.

Eggs are available. Look for other locally produced foods to be available when you visit Down Home Discount.

A New Location

New in 2019, Down Home Discount and it’s owners opened a new location in Cody, Wyoming about a 30 minute drive from Powell. This location is also a little less than an hour from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park making it a great place to stock up on supplies for your trip into the park.

What: Down Home Discount
Where: 2621 Big Horn Avenue
Cody, Wyoming
When: Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

This new location offers a different buying option. A percentage of merchandise can be purchased in bulk at an additional discount, on top of already low prices.  For example, 12 cans of baked beans for the price of 11 when prices are already lower.  Get together with your friends when shopping Down Home Discount in Cody and save even more. This new location brings a larger selection in clothing, shoes, health and beauty, and

Facts to remember: 

Both stores do not always carry the same merchandise from week to week.  It can be like opening a present and you find your self surprised with new items on a regular basis when shopping at Down Home Discount. Stay informed of the weekly deals and new products on Facebook: Down Home Discount on FB.

Attentions local farmers and producers:

Are you a local farmer and produce local food in the Cody, Wyoming or Powell area? Be sure to contact Down Home Discount to speak with them about offering your local produce in their store.

Kosciusko County Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market

If you have been following this blog over the past few months, I shared that I had attended 2 different indoor farmer’s markets local to my area. I wrote about the Culver Farmer’s Market and the Indoor Holiday Market in Bremen, Indiana. On March 30, 2019, I attended a third, new to me, indoor farmer’s market, the Kosciusko County Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market. I had wanted to attend in February, but I did not make it happen.  This market has existed for 40 years.

CG Heartbeats Farm’s vendor table

The morning dawned crisp with a colorful sunrise.  The air was sharp, but fresh.  I arrived and found a friend Julie, who was there with her succulent and fresh flower business, Blooms on 800.  She, not only, showed me where to get the provided table, but helped me set it up.  The room was large.  After setting out the wreaths, birdhouses, and signs, I took a look around at some of the other offerings. 

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Take a closer look for your self by viewing this short video showing many of the options to purchase that day.

I chatted with a woman who, along with her husband sells pasteurized goat milk.  It was most interesting conversation as I grew up drinking raw goat milk until I was around 11 years old.  It is good to hear others stories.  I made it back to my table and began painting. 

Two of the ‘new’ wren houses I will be painting. They will be covered with protective coating so they can actually be used outside!

I had brought a couple of the new actual bird houses that are for real wrens to use. They are super cute and as I write I am feeling excited for the ways I can paint on them.  I will then coat them with a clear protectant to allow them to stay ‘pretty’ when used outside and exposed to the weather. 

I played around with black and white to come up with this roof color. I have really enjoyed mixing colors for the unique individual results I end up with.

On that day I choose to paint a decorative bird house with a similar picture I had done at the last Culver Market (Culver, Indiana).  The final product pictured below.

Another vendor approached me with a request for a custom order. A painted bird house that would have the ability to hold business cards on their vendor table. The conversation provided interesting information about producing corn and other non-GMO vegetables while not cross pollinating with area crops. I look forward to working with that family to fill their request.  One of my favorite parts of the market was the young ladies who hung out with me to watch me paint.  I believe in the importance of investing in future generations.  I want to plant seeds of inspiration even when I may never see the full development and effect.

As the market wrapped up for the day, I took a spin of the wheel at the Kosciusko County Master Gardeners Association.  It landed on the question: What is the state tree of Indiana?  I was happy to see a multiple-choice answer.  White Ash, Tulip Tree or White Oak were my choices.  I choose Tulip Tree and won a pack of carrot seeds.  Yeah!!!!  I like seeds!  You never know what fun you will find at a farmer’s market.

This indoor winter market was held in Warsaw, Indiana every third Saturday of the month.  I happened to attend the last one, but they have a great (so I have been told) summer market that is held on an actual street.  I like that.  It has an old world feel to it. Do you agree? Check out the summer market details below.

  • Location:  Downtown Warsaw, Indiana between Buffalo and Lake Streets
  • Date: Every Saturday beginning May 4, 2019 through October 26, 2019 rain or shine
  • Time: 9 am to 1 pm
  • Cost: $0 to attend

Farmer’s Markets provide a place to connect with those who produce your food in a local area. Some even provide live music which is my icing on the cake. May I challenge you to look for markets local to your area and support the local economy?  Who knows? You make new friends, find a healthier way to eat, enjoy good music and teach the younger generation by example.

Indoor Market #2: Culver

On November 17, 2018 I attended my first indoor Farmer’s Market in Bremen, Indiana.  I am looking forward to the possibility of a February Bremen Indoor Market in 2019 with a Valentine theme.  I decided with eggs to sell and crafts to make I would try a second indoor market.  I had seen on Facebook and Instagram that the town of Culver was hosting an indoor Famer’s Market twice a month through April 2019. Further investigation revealed that temporary vendors were accepted as space allowed. 


Finding the vendor information and application links on the Culver Farmer’s Market Facebook page, I applied.  A few days later I learned I was indeed welcome to attend the following Saturday.  

The weather proved miserable by the time I arrived and was unloading the car.  Wind driven rain, and temperatures in the 30’s had me shivering. The atmosphere inside was however was warm and friendly to this newcomer.  I enjoyed the view overlooking Lake Maxinkackee.  A fog hovered over the choppy, wind driven waves of the lake and I felt cozy inside the Beach Lodge. Happy with my display, I settled into painting on a couple different bird houses.  I found painting at the Bremen Indoor Market gave authenticity to the finished birdhouses on display.  If not for anyone else, certainly for my own satisfaction.

I made a short video to allow you to look at the variety of options to shop for at the Culver Indoor Market.  So please be sure to click on the video and enjoy a close up view of many of the items available. 

Watch a short video showing vendor wares at the Culver Indoor Market in Culver, Indiana

Each market varies a bit with vendors attendance and I did not get a picture of every available item. If you are local to northern Indiana and southern Michigan, be sure to check out the Culver Indoor Market this Saturday December 15, 2018.  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the first and third Saturday’s now through April. The Market is free to visit and enjoy live music while you shop.

Location: Beach Lodge, Culver Town Park, 819 E Lake Shore Drive, Culver, IN 46511 

Time: 9 am to 1 pm

Leave a comment sharing your favorite item from the video.

In Summary

I am happy to have attended this market and look forward to providing farm fresh, NON -GMO eggs, crafts and other items at future markets.  I met locals, some who embrace similar values, and will enjoy getting to know how they homestead in their own unique way. 

What did I buy?

Local grass fed hamburger and ginger snap cookies.