Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gerrie LHeureux. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gerrie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I had renovated a couple of houses in Leonardtown and drove past an abandoned hardware store/lumber yard. It was large enough to house several stores and vendor spots to resemble walking down an old european street with shops on each side. The idea of community catalyst was much needed where customers could come in shop, have food and sit around catching up with friends or relatives. The building is both heated and air conditioned which promotes an all weather hangout.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Geraldine (Gerrie) LHeureux neé Simpson. Born in Singapore to a Eurasian mother and English father. Transported to Geneva, Switzerland when my mother remarried a Swiss hotelier. Married a US Marine and have spent the last 47 years in the States. We have 4 sons and 2 granddaughters.

My professional career includes over 25 years of government contracting with the last 9 as CEO for an Alaskan Native Corp.

Shepherds Old Field was a divine inspiration! In 2016, I fell in love with an abandoned 14000 sq ft “hardware store/lumber yard“ built in the 40’s and envisioned a “european street with shops on either side and vendors offering various crafts and services“ within the climate controlled building. It has grown with 96 small business vendors to include a barber shop, tattoo artist, a beer garden, cafe, and burger stand. Named Southern Maryland Best Gift shop in 2022, it is a must visit for tourists and locals. A community catalyst within the town of Leonardtown, MD. A retail incubator for small business who want to introduce their talents without large initial investment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The whole process from vision to “opening day“ was more than a challenge. Inquiries into who owned the building and they were ameniable to leasing 11000 sq ft was slow and the first big test The business had been closed for over 10 years but was still filled with product and storage. Negotiations took several months. I hired an architect who was versed in converting old buildings and grandfather rulea and codes When first introduced to the vision, his words were; “youre crazy“. Complicated by a contractor who walked out 3/4 way thru, delayed the opening by 4 months. The building needed new electricity, bathrooms and HVAC. Rent was being paid for over a year before opening and expenses piling up as new challenges rose with an old building. I doned a hard hat and worked to do everything i could to help cut down costs.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

After investing a considerable amount in the buildout, it made business sense to purxhase the building. But a 25% down payment was prohibitive after the buildout. Inquiries led to a bank that would use my buildout expenses toward the downpayment as it had added value to the structure. I was Able to secure a loan for the purchase. The process was hindered by survey inconsistencies that had to be rectified.

Contact Info:

• Website: Shepherdsoldfield.com
• Facebook: Shepherds Old Field Market (SOFM)