World Flavors - The Inception

Did you ever wonder how our specialty section World Flavors, at Harter House on Republic Road, came about?  I think it's a fun story.

Photographed here is my favorite Liquor Rep., Tim.


Harter House World Flavors is located at 1500 E. Republic Road,
Springfield, MO.

Barbara said, “Dale, can we get “something” to sell in the store?




Dale replied, “Of course we can Barbara. What do you want me to take out of the store to make room for your “something”?

I’d heard that conversation many times before, because our approximately 13,000 SF store never afforded us the luxury of adding many new items. But this time was the defining moment that started the conversation about expanding into the 2,500 SF unit vacated by Ashby’s Clothing, just to the west of our existing store.




For the past several years, the managers of Harter House have had the opportunity to travel with Associated Wholesale Grocers to cities across the U.S. and even Canada for the purpose of visiting upscale grocery stores and specialty markets. We are viewing new display ideas, décor, retail items etc. to bring back ideas to implement in our stores. And we have utilized that knowledge in many ways. Everything from handi-wipes that sanitize the shopping cart handles to “How to successfully implement a dry aged meat program.” We have taken many pictures and notes along the way. And when we seriously started talking about expanding the store, we wanted to create an atmosphere that brought together our favorite elements from the stores we had visited.










We wanted the atmosphere to be inviting and comfortable, but also, we wanted to bring to Springfield something that was not already available to shoppers. World Flavors offers some of the staple items used in ethnic recipes. The Wine & Spirits Center allows us to offer greater variety.











And the Sampling Station creates an area where customers can learn how to create simple meals with our ingredients and have questions answered about any ethnic and specialty ingredients they're not used to using in the kitchen.










So be sure to check out Harter House World Flavors for Specialty Cheeses, Coffees, Teas, Chocolates, Gift Baskets, Wine & Spirits and much more. You're sure to find something special and unique.



This Mural, painted by local artist Sherrie Davis, includes the portrait of our good friend James, who assisted in the World Flavors area remodel.