Pallet Wood Furnishings at Natural Living Food Co-op & Cafe

Lisa happily moving in new pallet wood shelving

I recall a post or video someone made entitled "Do You Have a Pallet Wood Personality?" some years ago.

Ha-ha-ha well hmm I guess so.  Now of course the author was using this question to help folks better understand that working with pallet wood to create "up-cycled" wood working projects is not for everyone. 

That having been said pallet wood projects once finished find appreciation and application by a wide variety of folks including at left Natural Living Food Co-op & Cafe chef and shop owner Lisa Piper.  Which leads me to the next portion of our pallet wood projects' story.

Solar powered Pallet wood work shop

After successfully owning and operating an all organic non GMO food co-op for the first six years we realized it was time to expand to a commercial space as we had outgrown our little garage carport from home shop.   After hearing about our decision to move and expand one of our loyal customers decided to partner with us by contributing a commercial kitchen and juice bar adjacent to and sharing the same building as us, split the rent okay great let's do it we all agreed.

However, shortly after agreeing and upon further discussion after finding the building we'd be moving into together, partner Lisa Piper voiced her concern.  "She's going to hire an interior decorator and contractors for her side of the shop and I'm afraid our thrift store bought shelving and product displays are seem a bit too shabby in contrast."   While standing in the largest room where we would stock our bulk dry goods, packaged goods, etc. I turned to Lisa and said "oh honey, don't worry about it I'll build this room out with custom pallet wood shelving, table, weigh station, whatever we need."  Not convinced Lisa asked if I'd ever done any projects like that before.  Nope.

Jeff installing pallet wood shelving for bulk dry goods just like he promised Lisa : )

Pallet wood shelf for organic tea

However, after having lived of grid for a few years in Colorado where I had built my own living space and outbuildings including an outhouse : ) from mostly "repurposed" materials I felt pretty confident I could put some things together that would lend itself to a warm, charming rustic vibe that folks would appreciate. 

Anyone who has tried their hand at working with pallet wood knows just how much can have to go into it sometimes.  Separating the boards, assessing what is worth the effort and the true grit required to get the sanding done for finishing it.  (Pun : )

That having been said I'm glad I thought to get this picture of the "Tea Nook" piece as it was tucked into the space behind it shown in picture at left.  It has since been loaded with bulk Organic Tea items and nobody gets to see the beauty of this free standing pallet wood shelving. 

Take note, whenever you're doing any type of wood working project in a food based establishment everything will be looked over by a local health inspector.  That means in our case that all bottom shelving has to be at least six inches off the floor and all surfaces must look sealed against moisture.   So yeah sanding all surfaces top to bottom and sides is essential to passing an inspection especially when it's a newly established place of business.   And in case you're wondering yes our grand opening was a hit and the majority of our customers preferred the look and feel of our shop space to that of the juice bar which went with what is referred to as "shabby shiek" theme.  That having been said after six months our rental agreement partner bailed on us and we were left wondering what to do with the commercial kitchen and cafe seating space.  Oh boy, that's right had to make some pallet wood tables and benches for cafe seating.  

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Shown are two pallet wood table tops which replaced the previous shabby shiek themed tables, pallet wood farm style table with pallet wood benches. We since added two more table tops and another farm style table and benches

The photo above gives you folks a small idea of how much work has gone into creating a truly authentic hand made seating and table area that folks appreciate so much we've observed customers taking pictures of the pallet wood furnishings to share with friends and post on varying social media.  
Success has varying definitions and can be very personal in meaning but part of what defined the success of these projects has been the acknowledged appreciation of customers, staff and those interested in the effort involved in the grind that can sometimes be part and parcel of what is really considered sustainable.