Tom Garnett and Christine Probst will open the area’s first independent Le Bleu distribution service. Michael Shaw.
Correction/Clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Le Bleu is based in Raleigh. The company is based in Advance, North Carolina. The story also previously stated that Christine Probst was a real estate agent. In fact, she had been a property manager.
A retired executive from a Richmond agricultural supply cooperative and a veteran of the local real estate scene are bringing a North Carolina brand of bottled water across the state line.
Tom Garnett, a Vietnam War veteran and retired executive at Southern States Cooperative, partnered with Christine Probst, a 20-year commercial real estate agent recently with American Real Estate Partners, to open the area’s first independent Le Bleu distribution service.
They began selling the North Carolina brand in April, moving in mid-May into a warehouse-equipped office space at 9308 Old Staples Mill Road.
The team met while exploring sales representative opportunities for supplement company Nature’s Pearl Products, which was started by Le Bleu founder Jerry Smith. Popular in the Carolinas, Probst said Le Bleu has limited bottled water distribution at Richmond Walmart and Food Lion stores.
Their service is Le Bleu’s only independent distribution in Virginia, with Probst and Garnett receiving territorial rights to the commonwealth as part of their agreement with the North Carolina-based company, from which they purchase units directly from a distribution center in Raleigh and keep revenues from sales. They did not disclose the cost of each unit.
“We’re trying to focus on Central Virginia right now, and we have the first right of refusal throughout the state,” Probst said.
Despite Probst’s real estate connections, it was Garnett who found Le Bleu’s Henrico County space. They lease the 800-square-foot office and 1,300-square-foot warehouse from Al Temple, who attends the same church as Garnett. They share a loading dock with CRH Catering.
Owner said a lack of electric charge in the water shows its purity. Michael Shaw.
“Tom didn’t think it was going to work, but I saw it and thought it was perfect,” Probst said.
Garnett drives to Le Bleu’s distribution center in North Carolina in a branded van hitched with a trailer to acquire the water. He makes many of the service’s deliveries. Probst and Garnett also hired four contractors to assist with sales, deliveries and warehouse operations.
To emphasize the water’s purity, Garnett submerged an electrical conductor in the liquid, lighting up as he showcased his product. The light bulb attached to the conductor did not.
“The water is so pure that it will not conduct electricity,” Garnett said while pouring a bottle of Le Bleu into a container that holds the conductor. “It’s not water that conducts electricity; it’s the impurities in the water that carries the charges.”
In addition to water, Garnett and Probst also sell 24-packs of individual Keurig K-cup coffee packets to businesses. The team described coffee sales as a small portion of their business, which is currently fueled by North Carolina transplants and other fans of Le Bleu that want the water to delivered to their homes. They hope to earn most of their revenue selling 5-gallon water jugs to area firms, seeing commercial clients as a more fixed revenue stream.
“Our focus right now is on the 5-gallon service,” Probst said.
Tom Garnett and Christine Probst will open the area’s first independent Le Bleu distribution service. Michael Shaw.
Correction/Clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Le Bleu is based in Raleigh. The company is based in Advance, North Carolina. The story also previously stated that Christine Probst was a real estate agent. In fact, she had been a property manager.
A retired executive from a Richmond agricultural supply cooperative and a veteran of the local real estate scene are bringing a North Carolina brand of bottled water across the state line.
Tom Garnett, a Vietnam War veteran and retired executive at Southern States Cooperative, partnered with Christine Probst, a 20-year commercial real estate agent recently with American Real Estate Partners, to open the area’s first independent Le Bleu distribution service.
They began selling the North Carolina brand in April, moving in mid-May into a warehouse-equipped office space at 9308 Old Staples Mill Road.
The team met while exploring sales representative opportunities for supplement company Nature’s Pearl Products, which was started by Le Bleu founder Jerry Smith. Popular in the Carolinas, Probst said Le Bleu has limited bottled water distribution at Richmond Walmart and Food Lion stores.
Their service is Le Bleu’s only independent distribution in Virginia, with Probst and Garnett receiving territorial rights to the commonwealth as part of their agreement with the North Carolina-based company, from which they purchase units directly from a distribution center in Raleigh and keep revenues from sales. They did not disclose the cost of each unit.
“We’re trying to focus on Central Virginia right now, and we have the first right of refusal throughout the state,” Probst said.
Despite Probst’s real estate connections, it was Garnett who found Le Bleu’s Henrico County space. They lease the 800-square-foot office and 1,300-square-foot warehouse from Al Temple, who attends the same church as Garnett. They share a loading dock with CRH Catering.
Owner said a lack of electric charge in the water shows its purity. Michael Shaw.
“Tom didn’t think it was going to work, but I saw it and thought it was perfect,” Probst said.
Garnett drives to Le Bleu’s distribution center in North Carolina in a branded van hitched with a trailer to acquire the water. He makes many of the service’s deliveries. Probst and Garnett also hired four contractors to assist with sales, deliveries and warehouse operations.
To emphasize the water’s purity, Garnett submerged an electrical conductor in the liquid, lighting up as he showcased his product. The light bulb attached to the conductor did not.
“The water is so pure that it will not conduct electricity,” Garnett said while pouring a bottle of Le Bleu into a container that holds the conductor. “It’s not water that conducts electricity; it’s the impurities in the water that carries the charges.”
In addition to water, Garnett and Probst also sell 24-packs of individual Keurig K-cup coffee packets to businesses. The team described coffee sales as a small portion of their business, which is currently fueled by North Carolina transplants and other fans of Le Bleu that want the water to delivered to their homes. They hope to earn most of their revenue selling 5-gallon water jugs to area firms, seeing commercial clients as a more fixed revenue stream.
“Our focus right now is on the 5-gallon service,” Probst said.
Best water I’ve ever tasted! Thanks for bringing it to RVA!
The wettest water out there! You have to see it to believe it!
I ran across Tom Garnett at the Hanover Tomato Festival along with his Partner and they were selling water to all the thirsty people. Tom was testing their water showing how it is the only pure water and i and everyone loved it.