MEDICAL LAKE – Local business owner and resident Gerri Johnson never expected to be nominated for a lifetime achievement award, let alone win one, but that is exactly what happened this year at the West Plains Chamber of Commerce “Best of the West” banquet.
Johnson, who has lived here since1974, said it has always been important for her to be involved in the community.
She married her husband Randy Johnson 36 years ago, and they did everything in their power to help people while they worked on his family’s farm, she said.
His family bought the land their farm sits on in 1932, Johnson said.
Over the years, people from all walks of like would pass by the farm, and many of them were service members, she said. Some would come to the farm feeling homesick, so they stop and ask for work to keep themselves busy.
Johnson said she remembers her mother-in-law, Naomi Johnson, would cook meals for the people that worked on the farm, and it was the relationships they built in the process that really solidified the community involvement
“Every person and everything has a story,” Johnson said. “Iit is important to value, respect and honor those stories.”
She said she strives to coach and mentor other small businesses in the community because she likes for businesses to succeed through building each other up.
Citing her primary influence for starting the Farm Salvation store in 2012 in the Cornerstone Building, the community leader said she wants to salvage parts of history before they are long forgotten.
She said the commitment to listen and lead through kindness has really helped her as a business owner. She also said she has developed regional relationships as well and has dedicated customers that drive up to the store from California and Utah.
Johnson said she wanted to get more deeply involved with that community-based support structure and started Re*Imagine Medical Lake, a non-profit group that helps organize local events and promote business.
“When we all help small businesses grow, they can all grow together in the community,” she said.
The past couple of years have been full of challenges and the non-profit had to make adjustments, she said. When outside events were limited, they had to resort to having a drive-through festival.
Through the pandemic, Johnson also helped coach people and find pandemic relief funds to keep going.
The small business owner said the recognition and award has been a milestone achievement, and it motivates her to keep the momentum strong.
Reporter Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at [email protected].
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