Providing Quality Products: The Benedict family has been serving Bridger Valley since 1938

Since the early days, Harlen “Hal” Benedict worked at Ackerman’s store under his uncle’s ownership for many years. 

In 1938, the Benedicts purchased the Ackerman store and established Benedict Trading Company to serve the residents of the Bridger Valley.

The family-run business has been an integral part of Mountain View’s early history, and 86 years and three generations later, Benedict’s Market and Benedict’s Ace Hardware are still caring for their customers and serving the community the way their grandfather wanted it to be. 

Over the decades, Bruce and his brother Jim Benedict, along with their families, continue to provide the highest-quality products and the best services their shoppers deserve in a modern setting, which is the key to longevity and loyalty. 

“We strongly believe in supporting those who support us, as it is essential for building strong and meaningful relationships within our community and among our customers,” Bruce says. “This is why you will see the Benedicts supporting local events, school districts, Veterans and various other organizations, creating a bond with the community.”

Early years

In the 1950s, the store expanded into the former Mountain View Hotel, giving it ample space to grow.

Later in the 1960s, the family built onto the original store and rented the space to the Bureau of Reclamation while the Flaming Gorge  Dam was being built. Once it was no longer being rented, they utilized it for more selling space.

“The family store prospered, and the additional space allowed the family to sell appliances, televisions, radios and hardware,” Bruce comments.

Hal and his wife Beulah ran the store for many years with the help of their family, including their son Lowell and his wife Sharon, who were instrumental in continuing the business’ success.

In 1981, the couple opened a new store to better serve the community’s needs, and shortly after, they decided to retire. 

Bruce continues, “Later, Jim, our sister Kym and I purchased the legendary family business, as we learned all aspects of the business while growing up.”

Built on a solid foundation, the family business continued to grow, and in 2020, the brothers expanded by opening a separate building, home to the new Benedict’s Ace Hardware store, providing more options for their customers and community.

Actively involved in agriculture 

Both brothers are actively involved in agriculture production and have built a commercial cow database by genomically profiling every bull on the ranch.

Utilizing artificial insemination and natural-service clean-up bulls, their heifers and top cows are ready to calve the following March.

In June, the family trails the pairs up to high elevation, where the calves thrive on lush Timothy grass, gaining weight every day.

After a summer on rich, nutrient-dense grass, the cattle return to lower elevations by the middle of October and are shipped around the first of November.

The Benedict family has done a great job of making their stores vital to the community and providing for the needs of community members without having to drive several miles.

For more information on Benedict’s Market, visit benedictsmarket.com or call 307-782-3581. For more information on Benedict’s Ace Hardware, visit acehardware.com/store-details/17451 or call 307-782-6090.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.