Detwiler’s Farm Market opens new warehouse plans to open more stores

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Detwiler’s Farm Market will soon open its biggest warehouse – a 133,000-square-foot facility in Palmetto.

Their expansion will also create more jobs in Manatee County. They hope to increase their workforce by over 50 percent over the next two years.

Harrison Mayer, who has been operating heavy machinery for 15 years, was hired earlier this year as a distribution manager at Detwiler’s. He is now overseeing the new warehouse, which will open next week.

“It’s pretty incredible that with this new center, we’re going to be able to provide jobs, and we’re also going to be able to provide even fresher produce for our customers. I’m very excited,” he said.

His excitement is shared by the Detwiler family.

“This is our production room,” said company President Sam Detwiler.

He said the new warehouse will help create more jobs, with their workforce expected to increase from 80 to 125 within the next two years.

The 133,000-square-foot warehouse will house all of Detwiler’s operations under one roof, which Detwiler said will help them operate more efficiently.

“The big reason we want to utilize a bigger warehouse is that we can do more direct purchasing and also lower our prices,” he said. “Most of our competitors act like they don’t care about price. Our family could charge more, but we don’t want to.”

This new facility will replace two smaller warehouses and serve all six of their store locations across Manatee and Sarasota counties.

It’s a significant part of a plan that will help this family business expand.

“A store every 12 to 24 months is kind of our plan. And we’d love to see this go as far as Tampa, and even down to Fort Myers and Cape Coral,” he said.

And employees like Harrison are excited to be part of a growing business.

“I think the biggest thing is we now have the opportunity and runway to be able to continue to expand, and to provide better services for our current stores and customers,” he said.

The grand opening is on Monday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. at 1811 51st Avenue East, Suite 100.