Worden’s Market and Deli is bustling. Outside, families sit at tables under the familiar blue awning enjoying freshly made sandwiches and salads. Inside, travelers and locals belly up to the deli counter to order hearty and comforting foods for an afternoon river float or weekend road trip. It’s also the last day of work for a long-time and much-loved employee so emotions are running high as people stop by to wish her well.
Matt Muhsam, the owner, is everywhere. He is going a mile a minute tending to all the details: checking orders, greeting customers, talking with employees. “I thrive on it” he says as he hands off a tray of sandwiches to be wrapped in preparation for an evening concert at the KettleHouse Amphitheater. Born in Japan and raised in a Seattle suburb, Matt has always loved cooking.
“My first small business was a pasta and sausage delivery service when I was 8 or 9 years old,” says Matt.” Adding with a laugh, he says, “The post office shut us down before we ever got off the ground for putting flyers in peoples’ mailboxes.”
While the neighborhood grocery store has vanished from much of America, it is alive and well in Missoula. Worden’s market epitomizes both the familiar and innovative: stocked with staples such as eggs, milk, and sugar as well as delightful condiments, sauces, and specialty items to tempt and satisfy any foodie. Towards the back of the store, you’ll find a great selection of wine and beer.
As a business, Worden’s has been evolving for the entirety of its 143 years. Steeped in history, it is Missoula’s oldest continuously operating grocery store and one of the three oldest businesses (along with the Oxford Cafe and Stockman’s Bar). Established in 1883 by Tyler Worden, who had worked for the Missoula Mercantile in Stevensville, Worden’s moved to Missoula in 1891 and though Worden’s has changed hands and moved locations several times, it has always been an integral part of downtown. In 1981, Worden’s was purchased by Tim and Exie France and in 1987, it moved into its current location at 451 North Higgins.
Matt worked in the hospitality industry for years, brewing beer while in college and later working as a cook and caterer in fine dining establishments. By the time he and his family moved to Missoula, he was ready for a change. He was thinking about starting his own deli, but it was slow to come together, then at the Hellgate Venture Network’s monthly meet-up of entrepreneurs and community members, Matt was introduced to Tim France. Soon, they became friends and Matt started working at Worden’s. It wasn’t long before it became clear that Matt wanted to buy Worden’s and Tim and Exie France felt they had found the right match. It was a tough time, October of 2020 when Covid was upending businesses, but by working together they sealed the deal.
Matt brims with ideas for ways to grow the business while staying true to its history, community, and employees who he values beyond measure. He’s thinking about adding a pick-up window where people can swing by for Korean fried rice (very good for late night imbibing). He’s added new items to the menu, including savory popcorn and Musubi, a popular Hawaiian snack made with a slice of fried Spam on top of a block of seasoned rice, wrapped together with a strip of dry seaweed (nori). He’s also recently expanded: introducing Forage Market, a specialty grocery and snack shop located inside The Wren Hotel across from the Residence Inn (inside the old Merc) and the AC Hotel.
Matt knows that it’s the familiarity and timelessness of Worden’s that makes it special. Whether you grew up in Missoula or are a traveler stopping in for the first time, Worden’s, as he puts it, “is sort of a Cheers thing” where you automatically feel welcomed. When asked if he’s surprised that he owns a neighborhood store in the heart of Missoula Matt says, with a smile, “When I was a small person, I fell in love with my corner market.” Maybe even then he knew that one day he would own one.
“When I was a small person, I fell in love with my corner market.” - Matt Muhsam, owner of Worden's Market