A Partnership of Faith and Hard Work
Annie’s husband of nearly 42 years, Ron, is a vital part of the business. A veteran who served his country in the early 1970s, Ron grew up in Ironwood, Michigan, and brings that same spirit of service to the Pantry.
What started in local Farmers Markets has grown into a thriving brick-and-mortar reality. Four years ago, they opened their first indoor market, and today, the business continues to expand into local favorites like Malicki’s Piggly Wiggly. As a business overseen by State Food Management and recently approved by the FDA, Annie and Ron are dedicated to being honest stewards of the land and your table.
A Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Miracles
Ann and Ron Muller have always felt incredibly blessed to have a physical pantry to pour their hearts into. For seven beautiful years, Annie invested her whole being into a space that became a true second home to our community. The business flourished, evolving from a humble 400-square-foot footprint to over 1,000 square feet in just a few short years.
But behind the scenes, a quiet battle was taking place. Annie’s spine was severely failing and weakened, eventually collapsing into a nearly 80-degree slant to the right. The pain was unyielding, and surgery was her only chance at surviving and ever walking again. Yet, because of the extreme complexity, doctor after doctor turned her down, quoting a survival rate of less than 20% for such a radical procedure.
Standing Tall Against the Odds
Faith moves mountains, and sometimes, it guides you to the right healer. After an exhaustive search by her physical therapist, they found a surgeon at the Froedtert Medical College willing to take the risk. Knowing that standard life in a wheelchair would mean the end of her dream of cooking in the kitchen, Annie and Ron met with family, friends, and their pastor. They knew it was time to take the leap of faith.
The surgery took place in two grueling parts. On a Friday, surgeons spent eight hours opening Annie’s abdomen to prepare her. Two days later, Dr. Saman Shabani arrived early to begin the arduous, 25-hour task of straightening her back. Through a miraculous medical effort and more than a dozen blood transfusions, Dr. Shabani made the impossible real.
The next eight days were a fierce fight for life. The pain was so unbearable that Annie remembers only praying for mercy. But God had a different plan. After months of intensive rehab, Annie stands tall, straight, and stronger than ever. The dream lives on.
The Birth of the Virtual Pantry
Life, however, brought another storm. At the exact same time Annie was recovering, Ron was diagnosed with cancer. Navigating two massive health battles at once meant that continuing to run their physical storefront was simply impossible.
Today, Annie and Ron are thrilled to share that they are in the early stages of recreating a brand-new physical space! Negotiations are currently culminating in Racine for a new commercial kitchen and a fresh 400-square-foot storefront.
While we prepare that new space, we ask for your patience and warmly invite you to step into our Virtual Pantry. Whether you need your favorite hand-crafted jams, custom gift baskets, or a gourmet charcuterie board, Annie and Ron stand tall, strong, and ready to serve you.
Feel free to contact Annie directly via phone or email to discuss your needs. She and Ron look forward to providing the absolute best products your money can buy.
