When we first stepped into the old Weill’s Department Store building, we weren’t just walking into an empty space—we were stepping into history. The echoes of the past whispered through the walls, through the worn counters, and beneath the five layers of flooring that had buried the original hardwood beneath decades of use and neglect.

The building, originally erected in 1887 and rebuilt in 1889 after a fire, stood as a testament to a bygone era—a time when the general store was the heartbeat of the community, a gathering place where folks picked up essentials, shared stories, and built relationships that lasted a lifetime.

Fresh Harvest Market wasn’t just going to be another store; it had to be something more. It had to bring back that sense of community, that authenticity, that timeless charm of the old general store. But first, we had a massive renovation ahead of us.

 
A Labor of Love: Uncovering the Past

The process began with demolition—though it felt more like an archaeological dig. More than 10 tons of flooring, wiring, and debris had to be removed. Layer by layer, we peeled back the years, uncovering not just forgotten craftsmanship but the very foundation of history. Finally, beneath five layers of flooring, we found it—the original wood floor, worn by time but still standing strong.

We knew we had to preserve it.

Every step in the renovation was guided by a deep respect for the past. The original counters? We kept them. The old woodwork? Restored. The soul of the building? Never touched—only revived.

But this restoration was about more than just bringing a building back to life. It was about bringing an entire way of life back.

 
Rebuilding Local: A New Model for Farming and Ranching

Fresh Harvest Market is more than a store—it’s a movement. A bold step toward reclaiming what was lost. A direct challenge to the most destructive business model of the last century—corporate farming and ranching.

For too long, massive agribusinesses have controlled the food supply, stripping the land, polluting our food, and hollowing out rural communities. Small farmers and ranchers were pushed aside, replaced by industrial-scale operations that prioritize profit over people, soil, and health.

But that era is ending.

Fresh Harvest Market is located in Bakersfield, California.  Stop on by and check us out if you are in the neighborhood.

Store Hours...
Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday - closed

Fresh Harvest Market is the realization of a truly new business model for farming and ranching—one that’s not really new at all, but deeply rooted in tradition. It’s local. It’s personal. It’s built on regenerative ranching, small-scale farming, and the idea that the people who raise the food should also have the power to sell it—directly to their community.

That’s why this market is part of Montana Ranch and Cattle Company - est. 1836. We raise the animals. We steward the land. And now, we sell our own products—grass-fed, grass-finished beef, raw dairy, ancient grains, and over 600 herbs and spices—straight to you. No middlemen. No corporations. Just honest food, raised the way nature intended.

We aren’t just another store trying to survive in the shadow of industrial agriculture. We’re building and controlling our own local supply chain, cutting out the corporate giants who have held farmers and ranchers hostage for far too long.

This is what the future of food looks like.

 
Handcrafted with a Story to Tell

We wanted Fresh Harvest Market to be more than just a place to buy food. We wanted it to feel alive—with history, with craftsmanship, with a story in every corner.

That’s why everything inside—every shelf, every table, every fixture—is hand-built from wood from our own Montana Ranch and Cattle Company - est. 1836. Every knot, every grain in the wood carries a piece of our journey, connecting our ranch to this historic space.

The décor is a tribute to both the legacy of Alphonse Weill and the timeless traditions of simple, honest food. We’ve filled the market with authentic artifacts, not just from the building itself but from our farm, bringing in a rustic charm that feels both familiar and welcoming.

 
Bringing Back the General Store Experience

Today, when you walk through the doors of Fresh Harvest Market, you’re not just stepping into a store—you’re stepping into history, into a place where quality matters, where food is real, and where we reclaim control over what we eat.

We’ve restored more than just a building—we’ve restored a way of life. A life that prioritizes local food, sustainable ranching, and a future free from corporate control.

And now, we invite you to be part of it.

Welcome to Fresh Harvest Market. Where history since 1836, community, and fresh food come together once again.