Meet Adam and Anna Heinauer | Owners of the Lettucehead Food Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam and Anna Heinauer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam and Anna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2020, we were still living in Denver and working corporate jobs in the health care industry. With an interest in food and wellbeing, we began scheming on small business ideas in an effort to find passion in our careers as well as feel integrated into a community. Our goal was to establish a small business that aligned with our interests and supported the wellbeing of those around us. Around this time we were also looking to move to a small mountain town in Colorado and were fortunate enough to be connected with the Lettucehead Food Company, a local health food store that had been in the Buena Vista community for years and was looking to be passed on to new ownership. This allowed us to jump right in to an existing business and make it our own.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We own and operate The Lettucehead Food Company, which is a local health food store in Buena Vista, Colorado, providing healthy groceries, organic produce, supplements, and homeopathic remedies to the Buena Vista community and our visitors. Our goal is to make a healthy lifestyle accessible to all. We focus on Colorado grown food to provide locally sourced, quality products that lift up our community. We had the privilege of expanding an existing business, and building upon the established community icon of the Lettucehead. Our approach has been small, thoughtful adjustments to our product selection and the aesthetics of the store, including a key focus on expanding our local vendor partnerships. This has allowed us to bring in more local produce and products, which benefit both our customers and our community. We are continually open to feedback both from our clientele and our staff to help us explore the best way to meet everyone’s needs. We have learned to always be adaptable, open, and receptive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Buena Vista is an absolutely incredible place to visit, no matter which season. We take our visitors to South Main, where we can enjoy a delicious meal at Wesley and Rose at the Surf Hotel or beers at Eddyline Brewery, and then walk the bridge to bridge path around the Arkansas River. During the warmer months, river activities are a must. Kayaking or paddle boarding with River Runners is a fabulous way to spend the day, ending with tacos and live music at the Browns Canyon Riverside Grill. There’s also incredible hiking trails throughout Buena Vista, allowing exploration of the Collegiate Peaks and great gems like Lost Lake. For a more relaxing day, the Mount Princeton Hot Springs are a unique travel icon of Buena Vista.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We both came from families with small businesses, which allowed us to see how our parents could navigate their relationship as a couple as well as the dedication necessary to run successful businesses. Our parents not only helped inspire our journey, but also our supported our endeavor and shift from the corporate world. We are extremely grateful for our families and their enthusiasm as we carved our own path with the Lettucehead Food Company. We were also fortunate to establish ourselves in a welcoming community in Buena Vista who has supported our vision for the Lettucehead. Our customers continually provide feedback and encouragement as we explore what’s best for our store and our community.

Website: www.thelettucehead.com

Instagram: @thelettuceheadfoodcompany

Facebook: thelettuceheadfoodcompany

Image Credits
Images by Anna Heinauer, mural by Red Swan Murals