The Story

At Leader, locals often still swing by ‘just to say hi’. Leader has that small town, friendly quality that people are drawn to as a remnant of days gone by…

Whether it’s dropping in for a hot cup of coffee, enjoying a meal or shopping for that special item in the store, Leader has something to offer just about anyone.

In the back of our restaurant, you will find, Orley’s Market, a nod to Orley Eastlund, a family member who ran a market in the building on what is now the retail side from 1948-1962. Some customers say they can still see the spot where Orley butchered meats by the stain on the wooden floor! Blemishes like that are not only embraced but celebrated as part of the rich history of the building. In our market, you can find curated consumable goods while enjoying a specialty coffee with a fresh scone or muffin.

Peeling back the layers of time, many locals have memories and stories to tell about the rich narrative the building emanates. What was once a place that hung it’s hat on the slogan, ‘If Leader doesn’t carry it, you don’t need it’ has developed to meet current consumer demands. While the retail world dives into online platforms, daily life is replaced more rapidly by virtual experiences, Leader beckons us back, to recall a time when real experiences and human connections were the foundation of our lives.

Great Grandson to founder A.W. Johnson & 4th generation owner Grant, is proud to carry on the Leader legacy along with his wife Michelle. You can usually find Grant lending an ear to someone who has a story to tell about some distant relative & their connection to Leader. In that moment, he is reconnected with his past while looking boldly towards the future.

The business has experienced many incarnations since 1918. With each passing decade, it has successfully pivoted to meet the needs of the time. As one might expect with a 105 year old business, Leader has had many challenges added to it’s roster including the Spanish Flu of 1918, The Great Depression and WWII. With the continued support of loyal customers as well as new, Leader will continue to overcome the challenges of our time.

New memories are to be made while expanding the story that Leader has to tell.

We invite you to become a part of our history & we are happy you are here.