This year, Wholefoods in Cushing, Oklahoma, celebrates an extraordinary milestone: 50 years of serving its community with quality natural products, trusted guidance, and a deeply personal approach to customer care.

The store’s story began on October 12, 1976, when Mary Gimmey Jones opened a small health food store in downtown Cushing. At the time, the natural products industry was still in its infancy. Inspired by her love of reading, foraging, and natural living, Mary began researching what it would take to open a store of her own.

After receiving valuable guidance from an established health food retailer in Tulsa, Mary secured a $5,000 loan and opened Wholefoods in a small storefront beside the former Cushing Hotel. The store’s first furnishings included a cash register, dining table, and two chairs from the hotel’s closed café. That original cash register remains part of the store today.

Three years later, Wholefoods moved to its current location at the corner of Moses Street and Cleveland Avenue. Built in 1924, the historic building has housed several businesses over the years, including a grocery store, cafés, and a television store. Today, it reflects the personal history of the family through portraits, Mary’s paintings, antique bottles, and other meaningful keepsakes.

Mary’s daughter, Paula Porter, grew up alongside the business. After Mary passed away in 1998, Paula became the store’s second-generation owner. Reaching the 50-year milestone is especially meaningful to Paula, who wishes her mother could be there to celebrate the lasting legacy she created.

Although Wholefoods does not have a formal mission statement, Paula describes her purpose simply: to educate and guide. She continually expands her knowledge through reading, classes, trade shows, and conversations with natural products representatives. Rather than filling the shelves with multiple versions of the same item, Paula carefully researches the products she carries and focuses on offering selections she feels confident recommending.

As the store’s owner and primary staff member, Paula manages nearly every aspect of the business, from ordering and stocking products to educating customers. On Fridays, she is joined by her friend Debra, who helps with pricing, stocking, and customer service. Debra is also the store’s resident soap maker, creating handcrafted bars and liquid soaps.

Education extends beyond the store through the Wholefoods Cushing Facebook page. Paula often shares information about wellness topics and the reasons customers may want to learn more about specific nutrients or products. Her goal is to provide a starting point that encourages people to ask questions, conduct their own research, and take a more active interest in their well-being.

Gut health has become one of Paula’s primary educational focuses. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® has been part of the Wholefoods selection since 2010 and has become the store’s best-selling probiotic line. Paula especially enjoys explaining the formula’s three-year natural fermentation process and the distinctive tradition of culturing it in an environment where classical music is played.

For five decades, Wholefoods has remained rooted in personal relationships, continuing education, and carefully selected products. As Paula and her customers celebrate this remarkable anniversary, the store stands as a testament to Mary’s pioneering spirit and to the enduring value of independent natural products retailers.

Congratulations to Paula and Wholefoods on 50 years of serving the Cushing community!