We sat down with Kristen, our Cashier/Manager on Duty, to ask her about her time at River Market. Kristen celebrated her 10 year work anniversary at River Market on August 27^th, 2025.

Kristen applied to work at River Market in 2015. She was looking for a second job and thought it would be fun to work in downtown Stillwater. Kristen started her journey at River Market as a Dishwasher. She’d worked in a school cafeteria, and her dish-pit experience there made her an easy choice for the job. After working as a Dishwasher at River Market for over a year, Kristen noticed that we were hiring in the Front End.

Kristen became a Cashier in 2017, and has worked in the Front End since then. Kristen is now a Manager on Duty, and says there is a lot to like about her job. She likes talking with customers and coworkers, and getting to know the families that shop at the co-op.

I asked Kristen what has changed over the last ten years that she has worked for River Market. Kristen mentioned changes in leadership positions like General Managers and Front End Managers, as well as changes to the dynamics of downtown Stillwater. Kristen says the store is much busier now than it was 10 years ago.

Kristen told me that something that has never changed is the customer loyalty. There are many individuals and families who have been shopping at River Market regularly for the duration of Kristen’s tenure, and even some who have been shopping since our move to Main St. in 2000, or since first opening our doors in 1978.

Kristen has stayed at River Market for the last 10 years because she likes the work that she does here. She gets to meet new people, work with great staff, and she says it keeps her out of trouble. She also enjoys learning new recipes from the folks who come through her line. Kristen’s favorite moments on the job are the interactions that she has with families, especially when she can get a shy child to crack a smile thanks to a well-timed joke or a sticker.

Kristen couldn’t pick just one favorite product that River Market sells, but she mentioned our wide assortment of essential oils and Diamond City’s Peasant 12 Grain Bread (toasted, with butter).

The next time you see Kristen, please be sure to congratulate and thank her for her decade of service to the River Market community.

Kristen’s Custom Coffee

• 1 packet Four Sigmatic Protect Organic Coffee

• 1 scoop Malama Mushrooms Superfood Mushroom Turkey Tail Powder Extract

• 1 scoop Natural Factors Total Body Collagen Unflavored Bioactive Peptides

• 1 Super Strength Gin-Gins

• Hot water (for mixing)

• Splash of creamer

Mix hot water with 1 packet of Four Sigmatic Protect Organic Coffee, a scoop of Malama Mushrooms Superfood Mushroom Turkey Tail Powder Extract, a scoop of Natural Factors Total Body Collagen Unflavored Bioactive Peptides, drop in one Super Strength Gin-Gins, and add a splash of creamer.