Every great business starts with a spark. For the Yoders, it was a simple belief: quality matters, and people notice. What follows is the story of how that belief grew into a legacy that spans generations and touches lives across the Southeast.
It Started with Cheese:
In 1972, Kore Yoder stood at a crossroads. A farmer by trade, he'd been dealing in horses and plowing fields for years. But on the side, something magical was happening. He began selling cheese from his home in Van Wert, Pennsylvania, and customers couldn't get enough. Anna noticed it first: "Look, people really like this cheese, and it's getting busier." A simple Swiss cheese sign appeared by the roadside, and soon neighbors were stopping by regularly, drawn by quality and authenticity. What started as a side hustle was becoming something bigger.
From Garage to Store:
One day, a horse kicked Kore's hand, sidelining him for months. What could have been a setback became an awakening. With time to focus entirely on the cheese business, Kore watched demand explode. The small house couldn't contain it anymore. He borrowed $20,000 from a family member and built a quaint little store beside their home, naming it "Van Wert Cheese Shop." One customer remarked, "Kore, you could sell igloos to an Eskimo!" The real secret wasn't salesmanship, though. It was something simpler: genuine care, humility, and a deep commitment to quality. Kore quit farming and never looked back.
Following the Calling:
Life took the Yoders on a journey. From Pennsylvania to Kentucky to Tennessee, they moved with purpose and adaptability. In Flemingsburg, Kentucky, Kore started a leather business while farming in his spare time. But food kept calling his name. One day, a carpenter working on their house asked Anna if she'd bake him some cinnamon rolls. She did. That simple request sparked something profound. Anna began baking to sell from their home. Soon came bulk foods and a deli. Then came the hams. Customers kept asking for country ham, so Kore set out to find the best. He discovered Burgers Smokehouse in the Ozarks and knew he'd found his match. The quality was undeniable. The flavor was unforgettable.
A Signature Is Born:
Word spread. At Christmas, Yoder's was slicing country ham so fast they could barely keep up. Customers lined up for that distinctive taste. The success caught the attention of Burgers Smokehouse, and a conversation began about something bigger: private labeling. Soon, Yoder's Sugar Cured Country Ham became a reality. It was exciting, it was earned, and it was just the beginning. In 2000, the family moved to East Tennessee and continued building. Yoder's Country Market flourished. Their wholesale business expanded across Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, and South Carolina. What began in a garage had become a trusted name across the region.
A Legacy That Endures:
Kore and Anna have passed on, but their spirit lives in every product, every customer interaction, and every person who walks through the doors of Yoder's Country Market. Their children and grandchildren carry forward the values they instilled: hard work, genuine relationships, and an unwavering commitment to doing things right. That's what "It feels like home" really means. It's the warmth of a place built on integrity. It's knowing that somewhere in Bulls Gap, Tennessee, people are still choosing quality over shortcuts, relationships over transactions. The Yoders proved that a simple idea, pursued with heart, can change a community.
