Inspired by a statue of Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture, Mallory Jennings opened a lifestyle grocery store supporting small local growers and artisan makers in 2019. Located in downtown Lebanon, Demeter’s Common has a definite laid-back, hippy vibe that is funky and inviting.
Determined to support local farmers, growers and makers, Jennings offers things like ice cold glass-bottled milk from JD Country Milk, fresh fall vegetables from Steed Market Farms, and fresh sourdough bread from Royal Monarch Farms. Often the bread comes into the store still warm.
Always moving around the store, making sure that customers are getting what they need and everything looks enticing, Jennings ensures that there are always seductive aromas. Not only is Demeter’s Common a grocery store, but it also has a coffee bar and great food.
You never know what is in the kitchen. It might be Brunswick stew or tomato soup with a mesquite chicken breast sandwich or kitchen sink soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. They also do meat and three plates, with fresh everything, of course. Menus vary daily, but one thing for sure is that everything coming out of the kitchen is fresh and healthy.
On October 18, they are sharing one of their healthy foods by having a bone broth workshop. Bone broth is said to support the gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and even improve the appearance of aging skin, according to health.com.
“Starting at [six in the evening,] we will have a few broths already made for sipping and sampling, then we will have an informative class about the benefits of bone broth, benefits using different spices and vegetables in your bone broth, and then we will have a huge spread for you to make your own,” says Jennings on their Facebook page. “Essentially [you] make a big zip lock bag full of the ingredients you want for your bone broth, including the local bones, and the education to go home and make your own. DM to [reserve a place] because this event has limited seats available!”
They have other events, too, like their annual Farm to Table Dinner, and they brought fresh organic vegetables to local school children.
“… I went to Sam Houston and introduced the first graders [there] to eggplant,” noted Jennings. “To say it was an experience is an understatement… After multiple gags and spit outs in the trash can, I finally got some of them to come around to it! I can proudly say that 100% of the first graders at Sam Houston now know what an eggplant is, and can positively identify it in a grocery store! I can also say that about 75% of them tried it, and I had quite a few actually really love it and come back for more!! I even had one of the moms DM me to ask how I made it. Made me so happy!! So, in my book that’s a solid win!”
Jennings grew up in Lebanon, the granddaughter of the founder of Cracker Barrel, Dan Evins. After graduating from Lebanon High School, she earned a degree in Agriculture from Tennessee Tech in 2013. She went on to work on an organic farm where she was the manager of the on-farm market.
She told Wilson Magazine, “My job was to network with local farmers all across the state to get the best of the best produce, meat and cheeses in the market,” she shared. “It is why I started Demeter’s Common. I wanted to do what I love, but be closer to home.”
Demeter’s Common is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
