About

Ridge Runners Market

Meet the Kempels

We have both grown up on dairy farms in Northwest Illinois and now own our own farm nestled in the hills of JoDaviess County. Here we raise Angus Beef Cattle, Goats, Hogs and some chickens. We also spend many hours in our Hemp field preparing our crop so that we can provide our customers with our high quality CBD products. Everything we do is a full family effort and we couldn't be successful without their love and support!

What's In the Name

When deciding on a name for our store we wanted to pay homage to things that are important to us. One of the first things is Family. This has an important part in all that we do and we could not have this store without our family. Second is pride of service. Our immediate family has a Police Officer, a retired Marine, and two nurses all of whom we are very proud of.

Now for the name- My uncle (Paul Reynolds) is a man I have affectionately heard of often but never the chance to meet. He was a Marine who served in WWII and then in Korea. Paul was a Corporal assigned to Able Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in 1950.

At 2100hrs on the evening of December 1, a relief force consisting of all three infantry companies of 1/7, with other supporting elements, stepped off from Yudam-ni to relieve the beleaguered Fox Company. Marching all night, the relief column (which became known as “The Ridge Runners of Toktong Pass”) marched over the rugged terrain. The relief regiment made it to Fox Hill and joined up with Fox Company. At some point during the last assault Corporal Reynolds was killed in action on December 3, 1950. Surrounded by the enemy and needing to move quickly the dead Marines were given a “field expedient burial.” My uncle’s remains have never been found and therefore have never come back to the U.S. When the Ridge Runners made their march to Fox Hill they endured sub zero cold and snow that was over waist deep. I am so proud of my uncle for his service as he gave his life to save
others and to give all of us the freedom that he was unable to enjoy for very long.

With the name of “Ridge Runners Market” I am reminded of my uncle daily and all that he gave up for this country and our way of life. The name is a way for us to pay homage to the Uncle I never met and in his memory we pledge to never take for granted the opportunity to have our own business. Please stop by to shop, talk and enjoy all that we have to offer you at RIDGE RUNNERS MARKET!!!

Our Dream

We wanted to use the Farm to Table concept to bring Farm Fresh produce, much of it grown on our own farm in rural Jo Daviess County, to your doorstep. We want to deliver a product that is grown without the use of harmful chemicals and will be healthy for our customers to enjoy. We will work with other local growers who have the same goals to offer those items that we do not grow on our farm. We wish to be known for high quality produce at an affordable price.

We also wanted a way to deliver our CBD which is derived from the Hemp we grow on our farm. It is grown and processed all here in Jo Daviess County and we feel that it has several qualities that can benefit many in the area,

With a love of flowers and the seasons, we can deliver beautiful flowers and hanging baskets in the spring. The fall will find mums of many colors, pumpkins, gourds and colored corn. Then there is Christmas which is all about trees, wreaths, roping, ribbons and much more.

Ridge Runners Market would become a place that people love to stop by over and over again to not only enhance their own health but also enhance the beauty of their home. We dream that as we move forward we can bring all that is farm to the public. Stop by and find something that meets your needs.

Tim - Driver