Haverford Store Sells Value in a Nutshell

, located at 2408-10 Haverford Road in Ardmore, is an unlikely participant in the bulk foods market, dominated as it is by giants like Costco and Sam’s Club.

That’s because the small, family owned shop takes a simple, no frills approach to bulk sales.

Wood shelves hold dried fruits packaged in clear plastic bags, whole coffee beans are sold loose from large bins, and herbs and spices from around the world sit in simple mason jars.

For Sheila Gray, manager of The Head Nut, their basic presentation is the store’s greatest advantage over its larger rivals.

“When you go to the grocery store, and get spices in individual jars, you could end up paying five dollars for one," she said. “Here, you don’t have to pay for the packaging, so we can sell for much less.”

But the advantages of the Head Nut’s products, which range from nuts and coffee to baking supplies and candy, run deeper than their packaging.

“We really sell a high-quality product,” she said.

This hands-on approach and dedication to quality are what really put The Head Nut in a league of its own.

The store only operates four locations in the area, with one more on the way in the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, giving it a personal, local character. So too does its 45 year history as a family-owned business.

Lee Molineux, owner of The Head Nut stores, started out when he purchased Temp Tee Nuts, a bulk nut packaging company in Yeadon, from his grandfather.

Since then, Molineux has worked to expand The Head Nut’s offerings. Now, his stores sell pastas, jams and yogurt alongside bulk nuts, as well as over 100 varieties of coffee.

Still, their best selling products are the nuts. According to Grey, the store sells more almonds than anything else, and their wasabi almonds have become a local favorite.

Alongside The Head Nut’s dedication to taste, however, is a sense of ethics and responsibility. Many of their coffees and teas are Fair Trade certified, ensuring that the farmers who grew the store’s offerings are paid fairly for their crops.

With its adherence to values that transcend the bottom line, The Head Nut strives to be a business that communities are proud of, and Molineux is proud to have a store in a place like Ardmore.

 “It’s a very family-oriented place,” said Molineux. “[It's] a great area to have a business.”