The clientele at The Big Red Barn in Emmaus simply cannot be pigeonholed. The usual stereotypes of tree-huggers, yogis or vegans no longer cover the span of people who might be looking to eat raw, natural ingredients that they can pronounce, made by people they can meet. This family-run business, owned by Michael and Lynn Joyce, caters to the needs of the entire community, whether that’s through their weekly grinding of fresh nut butter, selling items made by local crafters or bringing unique homeopathic remedies to the Valley. More than anything, the team hopes that anyone who walks in as a customer leaves as a friend. Read on as Lynn and (daughter) Sammy explain what makes The Big Red Barn so special.
What does natural living mean to you and your team?
Natural living is a way of life for our family. Our team is always looking for products that have real ingredients and feel good for our bodies. We are passionate about using products that are safe for ourselves and the environment. Our favorite rule in selecting goods is that we only look for ingredients we can pronounce!
What’s the best part about being stationed in Emmaus?
The best part about being in Emmaus is family and community. The Big Red Barn is a family-run store and we take pride in working together. Our family has lived here for years and we strive to create a positive difference in the community—like in the many ways that shops we have visited since we were young have affected our lives. We love the feeling that Emmaus is such a tight-knit community. Our team has gotten to know so many of our customers over the years and [we] enjoy creating bonds in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Our customers come in as shoppers and leave as friends.
Tell us about some of your best sellers.
Our best sellers at the moment are our fresh-made nut butters. We freshly grind natural peanut, almond and cashew butters, as well as a variety of specialty flavors and organic [variations]. From the first taste of our natural nut butter, we fell in love with its rich flavor and creamy texture. We make our nut butters together as a family in small batches every week to ensure customers are getting the freshest product possible. The process is surely a team effort, with love put into every container! We are always adding new varieties to the nut butter family.
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Who is The Big Red Barn’s typical customer?
We don’t have a “typical customer.” We serve everyone from young neighborhood kids, who stop by for a natural soda and old-fashioned ice cream sundae after basketball, to people looking for high-quality skin and hair care products, vitamins and homeopathic remedies, to curious neighbors who stop by to see our seasonal window display and new hard-to-find items.
Tell us about a unique item readers may not know you carry.
One unique item we carry is the Monq personal aromatherapy diffuser. Monq diffusers are portable essential oil inhalers that allow you to enjoy the benefits of the ancient wellness art of essential oils wherever you are. They are available in several great blends, each with a unique flavor and scent. Our customers’ favorites are Zen, Sleepy and Ocean.
What are some new products that the shop is excited about?
The Big Red Barn is always looking for new products to bring into the store. We always look forward to “tea season” every year and have a full line of great-tasting herbal and medicinal teas to warm you up when the weather gets cool. Whether you like a fruity taste, a minty flavor or something in between, we have a blend for you! Our shop always has a variety of unique items that make perfect gifts as we head into holiday shopping season. The most popular include handmade artisan soaps, salt lamps, hand-poured candles and more. Our shop also loves to carry items made by local crafters.
Where else around the Valley can customers find the products you make?
Currently, we are proud members of the Emmaus, Macungie and Trexlertown farmers’ markets. We bring our freshly made nut butters to these locations every week and we love meeting new customers there! No better way to support local and shop outdoors than visiting a local farmers’ market.
516 North St., Emmaus | 610.248.3501 | thebigredbarnemmaus.com
