Behind the Counter: The Real Story of Mary & Dave Weldy and The Culinary Apple

Mary and Dave Weldy’s story begins long before The Culinary Apple became a landmark in downtown Chelan. Originally from Western Washington, they spent years building careers in the gift and trucking industries before deciding they wanted a different pace of life — something rooted in community, creativity, and the values they grew up with. That desire led them to Chelan in the early 1990s, where they found both opportunity and a place that felt like home.In 1996, they purchased The Harvest Tree and began transforming it into what would become The Culinary Apple — a welcoming, experience-driven kitchen and gift store that blended nostalgia with innovation.Mary’s background as a wholesale gift representative gave her exceptional product intuition, merchandising skills, and a natural ability to create a warm retail environment. Dave brought operational strength and the steady leadership that came from years in the trucking industry. Together, they grew The Culinary Apple into a destination known for unique kitchenware, gourmet foods, locally produced wines, and their famous homemade fudge. For visitors and locals alike, their store became a place to browse, sample, laugh, and share stories — a true reflection of the Chelan Valley’s spirit.After decades of building a business that touched thousands of lives, Mary and Dave retired from daily operations in 2019. Today, they enjoy traveling, gardening, cooking, and remaining involved in the community they helped shape. Their journey is one of small-town entrepreneurship, risk-taking, reinvention, and deep community connection — a story that mirrors the heart of the Chelan Valley itself.To hear the full journey — the early struggles, the leap of faith, the lessons learned, and how The Culinary Apple became what it is today — tune in to this episode of Small Towns Unscripted. It’s not just the story of Mary and Dave Weldy… it’s the story of what can happen when two people follow their passion and pour it into a small town they love.