03/24/2026
The Homestead: Where Local Hands Meet Local Tables
What started as a simple building purchase with no clear direction has grown into one of the most anticipated new businesses in the Belgrade community.
“The Homestead,” a farm-to-table market founded by Bob and Tonya Dodds, is set to bring a fresh, community-centered concept to town, connecting local producers directly with the people who gather around the table.
The couple purchased the former Belgrade post office in October 2024, initially without a defined vision. But as they stepped inside, something unexpected changed everything.
We fell in love with the space, especially the original ceiling tile from its origins, the Farmers State Bank of 1910. You can feel the history in it. We just discovered the original teller window in the basement. The next challenge will be getting it out of the basement and onto the wall for display.
That historic charm became the foundation for what The Homestead would become, a place rooted in both heritage and community.
Beginning as a simple cosmetic update quickly evolved into something much larger.
The building was completely gutted, turning the renovation into an 18-month journey of rebuilding from the ground up. Every detail was carefully considered to preserve the building’s character while creating a warm, inviting space.
At its heart, The Homestead is about bringing locally produced, homemade, and farm-raised goods straight from the source to the consumer.
The market will feature shelf-stable products from local vendors, giving producers a chance to rent shelf space and showcase their goods in a professional retail setting. For those specializing in home-baked or cottage foods, The Homestead will offer pop-up opportunities, creating a rotating experience for customers and a platform for small-scale bakers.
The Homestead is not just a market, it’s designed to be an experience.
In addition to its food offerings and USDA inspected meats by local producers, the space will serve brews, beers, and a limited selection of liquor, creating a relaxed environment where people can gather, visit, and enjoy what the community has to offer.
Looking ahead, The Homestead plans to host “meat and greets” - events that bring producers and consumers face-to-face. These gatherings aim to foster transparency, education, and relationships between those who raise the food and those who enjoy it.
For us, The Homestead is about more than business, it’s about building something meaningful for Belgrade.
This is about supporting our neighbors. It’s about knowing where your food comes from, who made it, and keeping that support local.
As The Homestead prepares to open its doors, it stands as a testament to what can happen when history, hard work, and community values come together under one roof.
And in a town like Belgrade, that kind of place feels right at home.
We invite you to our table, mid April. 🤞
But if you’d like a glimpse of what is to come, Belgrade Volunteer Fire Department is having their annual Spaghetti Feed on Sunday, March 29th from 11-2PM. While partaking in the spaghetti feed, feel free to walk over to The Homestead and tour it.
