Daughter Takes Over Tuscaloosa’s Natural Foods Store Her Parents Founded in 1980

Tuscaloosa's best-known natural foods and wellness store is staying in the family as its longtime owner and operator hands the reins to her daughter after almost 50 years in business.

Frances Drennen, the founder of Manna Grocery & Deli, is retiring and passing the store on McFarland Boulevard on to her daughter, Anna Drennen.

They shared the news in a press release on Wednesday, along with photos and the story of the family's history in Tuscaloosa.

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They said Frances and Earle Drenne opened their first local store, Harmony Natural Foods, on the Strip in 1972, where the Twelve 25 club now stands.

For five years, they were an oddity in the Druid City, where they said housemade tofu and whole-grain bread were considered exotic at the time, and in 1977, they sold the store and moved to Colorado to try their luck in Boulder.

There, they found the opposite problem - a market saturated with stores selling natural goods and foods, and before long, they returned to Tuscaloosa, committed to making the idea work here.

They launched Manna Grocery & Deli in 1980 and, in 1989, moved into their current home on McFarland Boulevard across from Snow Hinton Park.

"Since opening its doors, Manna Grocery has grown into a trusted community hub known for high quality nutritional supplements and foods, delicious healthy lunches, stellar customer service, and a strong commitment to customer education," they wrote in their release. "Under Frances Drennen’s leadership, the store expanded its footprint, added a full-service deli, and launched several charitable initiatives benefiting local schools, nonprofits, and food banks."

Earle Drennen died in 2023, and Frances said she's been thinking about a succession plan for the store since then, and decided to pass it on to her daughter, Anna - a change that took place in January.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve this community,” said Frances Drennen. “What started as a small family venture became something much bigger because of our loyal customers and dedicated staff. I’m proud to pass the torch to Anna, who brings fresh ideas and the same deep commitment to our community and mission.”

The new owner is no stranger to the store and has worked at Manna since a young age, including during her undergraduate and graduate school education. The family said she is taking over after two decades in higher education project management and operations. She plans to add modern, digital amenities, including a Manna loyalty program and an expanded website.

“As co-owner, my goal is to build on the foundation my parents created,” said Anna Drennen. “We’ll continue to prioritize quality products, education, and exceptional customer service while exploring new ways to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

To celebrate Frances’ retirement and Anna’s new role, Manna Grocery & Deli will host a customer appreciation week, March 23-28, featuring in-store tastings, gift basket giveaways, and the launch of their new loyalty program.