The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce Core Goods as the recipient of the 2024 Business of the Year award! This honor recognizes the business’s outstanding contributions to the local community, commitment to sustainability and local food systems, and role in fostering collaboration and connection in the region.
Core Goods, located at 2 East First Street in Oil City, has been a cornerstone of the community since its founding six years ago. What began as a vision to create a small, local food market has grown into a thriving hub for fresh, locally-sourced products, and community engagement. In 2022, Core Goods relocated to its current space, offering expanded retail services and the opportunity for further growth.
Transformation Growth in 2024
In the past year, Core Goods introduced their Community Space, made possible in part by a grant from Main Street America and American Express. The Community Space is now a vibrant extension of the business, hosting classes, workshops, private events, and much more. From Sourdough Starter Workshops to vendor pop-ups and partnerships with local organizations, the space reflects Core Goods’ mission to bring people together around local food and shared experiences.
The Person Behind the Vision
Ashley Sheffer, owner of Core Goods, and her husband, Zack, led the renovation efforts with support from family, friends, and local businesses. The project included replacing floors and ceiling tiles, exposing a historic brick wall, and adding custom touches like a sliding barn door and cozy furnishings. The result is a welcoming space that has become a favorite for events, gatherings, and education.
Focus on Local and Sustainable
In addition to the Community Space, Core Goods offers a retail store stocked with products from over 50 local farms and food producers. From fresh produce and dairy to snacks, spices, and jarred goods, nearly everything in the store is locally sourced, showcasing the region’s agricultural bounty. Seasonal offerings ensure that the store remains fresh and dynamic, with produce shifting from summer’s zucchini and tomatoes to fall’s apples and winter squash.
Core Goods also uses ingredients from its store to prepare grab and go items, like soups, salads, and hummus, in its commercial kitchen. This space, located in the back of their building, has undergone its own updates and is on its way to becoming a shared-use kitchen in the near future.
Collaboration and Community
Beyond their own operations, Core Goods is deeply committed to community collaboration. The business has partnered with local farms, neighboring markets, and other small businesses to support and strengthen the local food system.
Core Goods also played an active role in community events last year, from hosting workshops and pop-ups to participating in regional festivals and wellness events.
Looking Ahead
As the team looks ahead to 2025, they plan to build on their success with more classes, expanded catering options, and continued improvements to their facilities.
Congratulations Core Goods!
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2025 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.