Heart of the Swan Valley Returns

SWAN VALLEY – Owner of the Mission Mountains Mercantile Len Kobylenski and his partner Grace Siloti hardly stop to take a break as they close in on the opening of the newly built Mission Mountains Mercantile. If everything goes as planned, by the end of April, Swan Valley residents should be able to purchase gas and groceries with the grand opening celebration planned for June 23. While the store has the latest technology and will offer many new products and services, the biggest change is the focus on the community.

Kobylenski purchased the Merc, as it is called by anyone who frequently visits, in 1979. It was a 1,200 square foot building with central heat, "a wood stove right in the middle of the store," Kobylenski said and laughed.

In 1986 Kobylenski and his wife Cindy upgraded and built a modern store. The 7,000 square foot building not only housed the grocery store and gas station but also Kobylenski's Swan River Valley Real Estate office behind the produce case. The store succumbed to fire May 18, 2016.

Siloti said that the new store was an instant vision.

"The morning of the fire, I stood back on the highway and looked through the old frame and I could see the mountains in the back. I said, 'That's going to be the new store,'" said Siloti. "I could envision exactly what was here like a day dream."

Kobylenski said it took him a little longer. Because of insurance they had to wait two months before they could begin cleaning up what was there.

"It was a burnt grocery store so whatever was on the shelves at the time, was still there. That was ugly especially when we got around July. That was odoriferous," said Kobylenski. "Once we started cleaning up and we discussed what we want to do with our time, things started to shift pretty quick. "

After a huge outpouring of support from the community and regular visitors, Kobylenski started to run the numbers to see if he could financially make it work. A banker prior to owning the Merc, he said the equation has so many components, not only financial but personal as well. With Siloti as the cheerleader, her endless enthusiasm and vision for the future, they set out to rebuild what many refer to as "the heart of the Swan Valley."

"Swan Valley is a beautiful place. If we are going to put something new in, we want to do it right [not just build a basic convenience store]," said Kobylenski. "This thing is in my front yard. I don't want to look at something average or less than average. It's got to be above average."

Kobylenski said that while it has been about business in previous years now he feels a greater responsibility to the community.

"You do this for so many years and you think you are just a guy with a little business and you try to keep it open but the response has been overwhelming," said Kobylenski.

"It has been full circle for everybody. I think the people in the community realized what we lost and for him being the owner he realized what he lost," said Siloti. "After years and years of the same old, same old you take things for granted. It's one of those things that now you realize we need each other."

Siloti said she lives by her faith even more so now.

"The things we put effort into happened so easily that we knew it was meant to be," said Siloti. "It has just all been falling into place. There has been a lot of work and a lot of effort. I've learned to just relax and let it be."

Kobylenski said that even the regulatory agencies have seen the end goal and helped make it happen.

The new store has highly efficient heating, cooling and electrical systems. It will offer more prepared foods than before with a full kitchen including a grill, combi oven and sandwich prep table. Customers can enjoy ice cream and cappuccino and espresso on the patio or indoors in the back and front of the store. They will also offer a full range of groceries and gas. They hope to also offer Wi-fi.

Swan River Valley Real Estate will also have an office. Instead of behind the produce case, Kobylenski's office will now sit behind a 65 inch flat screen television with drone video and photography of his listings.

"We kind of know what the store did before but I have a sense that we are going to be a lot busier," said Kobylenski.

There will be a lot of new people working at the store. They were employing around eight employees and now Kobylenski expects to hire up to 12 to cover the store. So far they haven't needed to advertise, they have been able to find local workers.

"That has been an important, magical part because they seem to appear," said Kobylenski. "I don't know how that happens."

Siloti and Rip Grubaugh are the only returning employees from the old store. Grubaugh worked at the Merc for a year before the fire. He is returning to manage the meat department, the deli and "anything Grace and Len need from him."

Grubaugh invites people to stop in and talk to him about different cuts of meat and different ways to prepare it. He also encourages people if they have a big order to call it in ahead of time. Even though the deli and prepared food area has been expanded, he wants to make sure he can take care of their needs. If they call ahead he can ensure he has what they need and can just drop it in their basket when they stop to pick it up.

"I just want people to let Grace and Len know how appreciative they are for him to do this again. This is a big thing for this community," said Grubaugh. "It means a lot to me as a person who lives in this community because to drive 30 miles for anything, whether it be fuel or groceries, is a big burden."

"The whole process has brought the community together and having a central meeting place again will continue to build that sense of community," said Siloti. "Everybody misses a nice place to meet and greet."

Siloti and Kobylenski agree the Matthew Brothers have been incredible. Even though the crews aren't working on the weekends and in the evenings, the owners Ronnie and Rollie are there.

"This isn't building a big house four miles off the highway. This is something in front of everybody. They have taken it to heart," said Kobylenski. "This isn't just a construction job to them."

Siloti added she is grateful to everyone who has supported them since the fire.

"Whether people realize it or not they have given us the energy to keep going," she said.

"I've always loved where I live and I always said I didn't take things for granted but now I know I did," said Siloti. "Now I'm even happier that before. It's 100 percent knowing this is where I'm suppose to be. I'm so at peace."

"It gives a guy a good taste of humility," said Kobylenski as he started back to work. "Also after 40 years, it gives you confirmation of a life well spent."