Passing the Torch: A Big Change in West Concord

BY JENNIFER SCHÜNEMANN

When something this historic comes to pass, it’s only right that a publication dedicated to telling Concord’s important stories pauses to pay homage to the people behind that moment. This is one such tale – something that the people of Concord will look back upon as a milestone in their shared history. And the two people behind it are just as important. They have long loved this town and worked hard to build a thriving community here. What we are witnessing is the passing of the baton - one beloved chapter closes, while another opens to new possibilities. The doors of the West Concord 5&10 will close forever on December 31, 2020. In 2021, Debra's Natural Gourmet will take up the mantle of community entrusted to it and expand into a space that families have depended upon for generations. It's a big transition, and an emotional one for all involved.

Two Businesses, One Community

For close to 85 years, children and adults alike have delighted in the unique treasures to be found at the West Concord 5&10… one of the last remaining 5&10 stores in New England, if not the country. Established by Pasqual Miele in 1935, the store moved in 1946 from across the street from today’s spot to the building now occupied by Walden Kitchen. The Forbes family purchased the business in 1951 and moved it to its current location in 1959.

Many changes took place over the next 60 years — a building expansion, a changing of the guard from John Forbes to his son Maynard, who in turn worked alongside his stepson Chris when John Forbes passed away in 1991. The late 90s into early 2000s were good years for Maynard, Chris, and for the 5&10. With an inventory of more than 43,000 items, school year supplies, holiday decorations, spring gardening tools, sewing supplies, nick knacks, and summer fun needs kept the business thriving.

“The crash of 2008 was far into the future, and Amazon didn’t exist,” said Maynard. “The community was a constant presence in and out of the door of the West Concord 5&10. Times were good. There are so many wonderful stories over the years – this store has been everything to me.”

Meanwhile, one building over, a woman named Debra Stark was embarking on a crazy adventure of her own. In 1989, this woman with no business experience – but plenty of hutzpah - bravely planted her organic, homeopathic, holistic flag in the heart of a working town that had likely never heard of chia seeds or quinoa.

“The whole dream began with my Mom – who raised us on organic foods before anyone knew what organic foods were,” said Debra. “My vision was to create a space for great food and a holistic way of living for this amazing community. With no business experience, but a big dream, I definitely learned everything the hard way. But I never thought I wouldn’t succeed.”

And succeed she did! Thirty years after a tough start – with many starts and stops along the way – Debra’s Natural Gourmet is a household name in Concord and has even attracted national attention. Debra and her pioneering approach to organic foods have been featured on television, in Whole Foods Magazine, and even has a new book out: The Little Shop that Could. In 2015, she was named Retailer of the Year for the natural products industry (in all the USA!) by New Hope Natural Media. And in 2016, she was named a legend in the natural products industry.

Together, these two businesses have become the pillars of a thriving West Concord cultural center. They routinely collaborate to help small businesses on the block get better established, to organize festivals and community events, and – most recently – to support their community in the midst of a global pandemic. When you ask anyone in town about leadership in West Concord, both Maynard’s and Debra’s names are at the top of the list. It’s a collaborative, community-minded spirit behind their passion and genuine care for the people of this town.

Maynard Forbes of West Concord 5&10

©Pierre Chiha Photographers

An Unexpected Homecoming

Maynard’s stepson Chris ran the shop for 8 years until a sad day in 2013, when he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep while traveling. In shock and sadness, Maynard and his wife moved back from their home in Maine and Maynard once again ran the store he had known inside and out since childhood. Stoically, he soldiered on and ensured the integrity of the family business. In fact, Maynard was named Concord’s Business Person of the Year in 2015 – an award that all agreed was long overdue.

But tragedy hit again in June of last year when Maynard’s beloved wife of 27 years, Jean, passed away. By this time, online shopping and big box stores were taking a real bite out of what was once a reliable income. It became more and more challenging to make sense of a business model that depended upon small sales of tens of thousands of inventory items. And nobody seemed interested in buying the 5&10.

“We stayed as long as we did because we owned the building – and my pension from my years in the Army made sure we could pay the bills,” said Maynard. “But there came a point where retirement seemed like a good idea. I just needed to make sure the building didn’t become another chain store. That’s when Debra and I reached an agreement.”

Debra Stark outside her Natural Gourmet Shop

©Pierre Chiha Photographers

Passing the Torch

For several years, Debra and her son Adam (who is now a partner with his mom) had been trying to find a solution. Their shop was now a success, and bursting at the seams. It was important to them to stay in the town that had become such a cherished cornerstone of their community, rather than opening a second location. When Maynard indicated that he was open to selling the building to Debra, it presented a perfect solution.

Debra and Adam are excited about the future. They are looking forward to better serving the community with an improved space, better flow, expanded offerings, new recipes, and more options to support fellow small businesses in West Concord. They recognize the weight on their shoulders that comes with accepting the torch from an iconic community leader like Maynard.

“Having Maynard as our neighbor these many years has been an honor,” said Debra. “We intend to continue a shared value of community-focused service. Everything we do is driven by passion and a commitment to doing something special. We are grateful to Maynard for entrusting us with the building that housed his family business for multiple generations.”

As for Maynard Forbes, his eyes glisten with memory and a hint of sadness when he shares, “I am relieved to have made the decision…but sorry to see that this business, which has been here for more than 85 years, 70 of them in my family, is going to disappear.”

But will it, truly? The generations of stories, of children coming and going, of families sharing good times and bad, will continue on in the building which housed the West Concord 5&10. It will have a new name, and a new guardian…but Maynard and Debra’s carefully curated outcome for this ‘passing of the torch’ ensures that community and family will still have a cherished gathering place in West Concord for generations to come.