Kathi Lafferty’s idea was a natural; Kennett Square, the Mushroom Capital of the World, needed a store that sold all things mushroom.
Lafferty’s family, including husband Tom and son Chris, were also the natural mushroom family to open The Mushroom Cap, now the premier store in Chester County devoted to the sale of fresh mushrooms, gifts, collectibles and the dissemination of mushroom history.
“I married into a mushroom family,” Kathi said. Her husband Tom and his brothers, Phil and Steve, are operating the family mushroom business, Lafferty and Sons. The business began in 1946 when the brothers’ father, Philip, started growing mushrooms. Also, Kathi was born in Kennett Square and has family in the area. “Not only mushrooms, but Kathi has an interest in the success of Kennett Square,” Tom Lafferty said.
Kathi gained experience in retail sales while operating a children’s clothing business out of her home. In 1997 Tom and Kathi purchased a building at 112-114 West State Street, Kennett Square for her Growing Tree children’s boutique. The Growing Tree was a children’s retail shop, then featuring children’s consignment clothing, baby gifts, personalized items, Christening and Communion apparel.
She approached her husband about the possibility of selling mushrooms and her husband admits he was skeptical of the success of such a store. “It was Kathi’s idea to sell mushrooms and give out information on the storing, washing, preparation and cooking of mushrooms. People were asking why Kennett Square, the Mushroom Capital of the World, didn’t have a store selling fresh mushrooms. We didn’t want to send them to a chain grocery store,” Tom said.
At first Kathi was selling fresh mushrooms from a cooler in the Growing Tree shop. The mushrooms soon became a success and the Growing Tree, now a Unique Baby Boutique, was moved to the downstairs portion of the store and the mushrooms and mushroom related gifts sprouted in the first-floor storefront, christened the Mushroom Cap in 2004.
The store recently added additional information on mushroom history when the Phillips family offered Kathi displays from the former Phillips Mushroom Museum that closed on Route 1. Kathi will add to the mushroom exhibit as mushroom growers and collectors contribute memorabilia.
The store receives visitors from throughout the world, according to Kathi. Tom adds that the store is especially popular during First Friday events in Kennett Square and weekends when they serve mushroom soup and other mushroom dishes. “We’ve also been known to serve a glass of wine,” he said. “Wine and mushrooms go.”
Even though the store is full of mushroom themed gifts, Kathi said she is always looking for additional items. “There is a great demand,” she said. For information on the shop, see www.themushroomcap.com.
Kathi is also involved in the highly successful Mushroom Festival, held every September in Kennett Square. She is festival coordinator after at first volunteering to help the setup of vendors. “I volunteered because I wanted to do so,” she said. “We have grown from 60 to 170 vendors. Everyone in town works to make the festival a success.”
Mushrooms have been part of the Lafferty family for four generations. Tom has been involved in the business since 1969 when he began working with his father. He said his grandfather was first in the business in the 1920s in Kaolin. Tom’s son Chris joined the family business in 2004 after graduating from Penn State University where he studied business management.
“I knew growing up I’d be in the mushroom industry,” Chris said. “I’m still in the process of learning the growing process. I’m in charge of the harvesters and I’m involved in all aspects of the business. I can be a carpenter or anything else at times during the day.” With Chris being in charge of the harvesters, Tom said he has more time to concentrate on growing top quality mushrooms.
“The mushroom industry is on the upswing, but it is going in different directions,” Chris said. “We will have to be able to produce more product and be efficient because of the competition we face.”
Tom said he likes to see a new educated generation, including his son, becoming involved in the mushroom farm community. It is a seven-day a week job that doesn’t have an off season. We grow, pick and ship mushrooms every day.”
Another aspect of growing mushrooms that pleases Tom is the opportunities for success that it provides. “The mushroom business began with Quakers and Irish in this area and then the Italians became major growers and now we have descendents of Mexican workers owning farms. The American dream is still here.”
For those who want to take home a small piece of the American dream, a visit to The Mushroom Cap is essential as even “Kennett Square Potpourri” is available in a one-ounce jar consisting of Spent Mushroom Substrate.
Lafferty’s family, including husband Tom and son Chris, were also the natural mushroom family to open The Mushroom Cap, now the premier store in Chester County devoted to the sale of fresh mushrooms, gifts, collectibles and the dissemination of mushroom history.
“I married into a mushroom family,” Kathi said. Her husband Tom and his brothers, Phil and Steve, are operating the family mushroom business, Lafferty and Sons. The business began in 1946 when the brothers’ father, Philip, started growing mushrooms. Also, Kathi was born in Kennett Square and has family in the area. “Not only mushrooms, but Kathi has an interest in the success of Kennett Square,” Tom Lafferty said.
Kathi gained experience in retail sales while operating a children’s clothing business out of her home. In 1997 Tom and Kathi purchased a building at 112-114 West State Street, Kennett Square for her Growing Tree children’s boutique. The Growing Tree was a children’s retail shop, then featuring children’s consignment clothing, baby gifts, personalized items, Christening and Communion apparel.
She approached her husband about the possibility of selling mushrooms and her husband admits he was skeptical of the success of such a store. “It was Kathi’s idea to sell mushrooms and give out information on the storing, washing, preparation and cooking of mushrooms. People were asking why Kennett Square, the Mushroom Capital of the World, didn’t have a store selling fresh mushrooms. We didn’t want to send them to a chain grocery store,” Tom said.
At first Kathi was selling fresh mushrooms from a cooler in the Growing Tree shop. The mushrooms soon became a success and the Growing Tree, now a Unique Baby Boutique, was moved to the downstairs portion of the store and the mushrooms and mushroom related gifts sprouted in the first-floor storefront, christened the Mushroom Cap in 2004.
The store recently added additional information on mushroom history when the Phillips family offered Kathi displays from the former Phillips Mushroom Museum that closed on Route 1. Kathi will add to the mushroom exhibit as mushroom growers and collectors contribute memorabilia.
The store receives visitors from throughout the world, according to Kathi. Tom adds that the store is especially popular during First Friday events in Kennett Square and weekends when they serve mushroom soup and other mushroom dishes. “We’ve also been known to serve a glass of wine,” he said. “Wine and mushrooms go.”
Even though the store is full of mushroom themed gifts, Kathi said she is always looking for additional items. “There is a great demand,” she said. For information on the shop, see www.themushroomcap.com.
Kathi is also involved in the highly successful Mushroom Festival, held every September in Kennett Square. She is festival coordinator after at first volunteering to help the setup of vendors. “I volunteered because I wanted to do so,” she said. “We have grown from 60 to 170 vendors. Everyone in town works to make the festival a success.”
Mushrooms have been part of the Lafferty family for four generations. Tom has been involved in the business since 1969 when he began working with his father. He said his grandfather was first in the business in the 1920s in Kaolin. Tom’s son Chris joined the family business in 2004 after graduating from Penn State University where he studied business management.
“I knew growing up I’d be in the mushroom industry,” Chris said. “I’m still in the process of learning the growing process. I’m in charge of the harvesters and I’m involved in all aspects of the business. I can be a carpenter or anything else at times during the day.” With Chris being in charge of the harvesters, Tom said he has more time to concentrate on growing top quality mushrooms.
“The mushroom industry is on the upswing, but it is going in different directions,” Chris said. “We will have to be able to produce more product and be efficient because of the competition we face.”
Tom said he likes to see a new educated generation, including his son, becoming involved in the mushroom farm community. It is a seven-day a week job that doesn’t have an off season. We grow, pick and ship mushrooms every day.”
Another aspect of growing mushrooms that pleases Tom is the opportunities for success that it provides. “The mushroom business began with Quakers and Irish in this area and then the Italians became major growers and now we have descendents of Mexican workers owning farms. The American dream is still here.”
For those who want to take home a small piece of the American dream, a visit to The Mushroom Cap is essential as even “Kennett Square Potpourri” is available in a one-ounce jar consisting of Spent Mushroom Substrate.
The Mushroom Cap
Overview of Mushroom Farming l Economic Importance
Environmental Importance l Nutritional Importance l Farm Profile
Environmental Importance l Nutritional Importance l Farm Profile
Kathi Lafferty
Kathi, Tom and Chris
The Mushroom Cap
Store front
Store front
Inside
The Mushroom Cap
The Mushroom Cap
Inside
The Mushroom Cap
The Mushroom Cap
