About Miss Mary’s Market
Miss Mary’s Market is the only grocery and produce provider in the downtown district of Okmulgee. From it’s opening a little over a year ago, Miss Mary’s has become a favorite destination for shoppers and visitors alike. Their fame has been spread through social media including Facebook and Instagram as well as a Google website. Marketing includes utilizing our local newspaper, Okmulgee Times, and several of the Tulsa News Channels have featured stories about Miss Mary and her family-owned business.
Miss Mary is the 35 year old daughter of Rick and Jill Rhodes. She has Down Syndrome. Vocational opportunities were becoming limited for Mary and her parents were searching for a “purpose” for Mary without having to commute to Tulsa or Oklahoma City. With limited reading and fine motor skills as well as a speech impediment, possibilities for Mary were scarce. But determined parents are not to be thwarted! Mary is the delightful marketing spokesperson for Miss Mary’s Market! She is the face and passion of this new establishment. Her responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to, greeting customers, bagging and stamping (decorating sacks), stocking, and prepping salads and veggie cups. Twice monthly she helps with purchasing (sometimes things only she or a small child would be interested in but after all, it’s her market and she picks what she likes!). Mary can often be seen in their cute little red electric car delivering lunches and snacks throughout the community with her mother or sister, Sarah, who recently returned to join her family in this venture. She greets customers with a huge smile and sometimes when the spirit moves her will share a dance with them if the music is right!
Miss Mary’s Market has been recognized by the Culinary Department at OSUIT and provides a great many of the organic vegetables and fruits used in their classes. They will be hosting a culinary intern this spring! The Market offers a great many “Made in Oklahoma” products with hopes of adding more in the future. They provide fruit, vegetable and sandwich trays to individuals and offer catering on a limited basis to such organizations as Rotary and the Muskogee Creek Nation as well as many social clubs. Their produce is top quality with dairy, bread, coffee, and seasonal flowers and plants available. They deliver to shut-ins and the elderly as well as to shops, schools and businesses throughout town.
Miss Mary’s currently has 5 employees, three full time and two part-time. Repeat customers love to not only purchase beautiful organic produce but look forward to a quick visit with Mary. Their 5 year goal is to employ and train others with developmental delays and act as a vocational training site for such. The long-term goal is to change community perspectives toward people with disabilities!
Miss Mary’s Market has proven to be a huge asset to the community and continues to expand. They provide a much needed market for downtown loft dwellers as well as those looking for organic, healthy lifestyles. Several of our downtown restaurants as well as our schools have begun to rely on the Market for their high quality products.
