Bellevue General Store
Time after time I’ve driven through Bellevue and wondered about that eclectic log furniture store with the emblematic old farm truck. It was the roadside attraction I’d always meant to check out. Then, last summer, I noticed a new series of weathered signs that read: “Fresh eggs. Honey. Homemade bread.” I needed nothing more.
Once inside, I was struck by one of my favorite smells: freshly baked cinnamon rolls. But what kept me there was the beautifully displayed refurbished furniture and unusual antiques, artwork and gifts that lovingly cuddled the edible items. The jukebox played early Beatles. Time stopped. I lingered…
Owners Julie and Terry Heneghan are ever present at Bellevue General Store. Julie, adorned by her apron, is usually offering a sample of something awesome she just made. Her honed kitchen skills developed from the “breakfast” component of the Bed and Breakfast that The Heneghans owned and operated for ten years in Ketchum. Terry taught himself the art of woodworking while running the “bed.” As their family grew, they moved south, acquired five acres in Bellevue and, in 2000, purchased Great American Log Furniture. Terry continued building rustic furniture out of unusual wood and began accepting commissions for custom projects. Each beautifully crafted piece captures the essence of the wood’s history in the design, texture and original grain.
In November 2013, Terry’s furniture shop transformed into Bellevue General Store, offering specialty, local food alongside the custom furniture and vintage collectables. Most people come in to buy eggs (chicken and duck) and baked goodies (namely Julie’s cinnamon rolls, cookies and bread). Other staples include fresh milk, yogurt and butter from Cloverleaf Creamery. Julie’s preserved foods are a hit, especially the Rocket Sauce (a creamy arugula pesto), onion marmalade (my favorite!), pepper-pear relish and sweet-hot-mama pickles. They also sell locally raised meat, including grass-fed ground beef and, from their own farm, pasture-raised rabbit and chicken. There are dried beans all year round and local, seasonal, chemical and pesticide-free produce.
During summer at Bellevue General Store, you will be able to harvest your own fresh herbs and produce from the on-site garden. And in the (hopefully) near-future, Julie and Terry envision a full deli, soup kitchen and perhaps a coffee bar. Even without those additions, Bellevue General Store is a fun place to spend some time lingering about.
