By ISAIAH FRIZZELL
How to Receive
There are three Atkinsons’ Markets in the Wood River Valley. Each is a pleasure to shop and, locally owned, feels good to support. The produce is phenomenal and the juices—oh wow—that fresh-squeezed blood orange is an absolute staple in our fridge. Plus fine items you just can’t find anywhere else. The Bellevue Atkinsons’ has become a favorite—less traffic, a larger parking lot and fine goods.
More than that, it’s the people like Kelly Granillo, whose beautiful, friendly smile, bright attitude and lovely mannerisms are the immediate qualities that make you want to go back, to enter her sphere and chat. Even when brief, Kelly always offers a warm moment. With so many great people in this community, it’s tough to say, but she’s definitely in the top five most-friendly people you will encounter.
A Story We Know
Kelly has been in the Valley for nearly 40 years. “I came on vacation in the summer of 1985. I lived in Utah at the time, and I came up here and just fell in love, so I told my husband at the time, we’re going to move. And he said, no. You know (laughter), so I went back and I gave my two weeks’ notice! I worked at a country club down there, came up here and started working for a treatment center for the first couple of years.”
Kelly landed in Ketchum, initially. “Oh, Ketchum was, gee, Ketchum was a blast. It was a lot of fun. So much fun. A lot of intermingling with all sorts of different people. Even, you know, famous people. It wasn’t unusual to see them out and about. It was really a laid-back town.”
This we hear from everyone who’s been here for a while.
Time Flies
Originally a painter, Kelly now has 15 years with Atkinsons’. “I painted houses for most of my life and did furniture finishing. So, I got older and my knees just didn’t work like they used to. Ladders were kind of out of the question and roofs and stuff like that.
So, I got on at Atkinsons’ in Hailey for the first 15. Now I’m here in Bellevue, which I love.”
Kelly has two sons and two grandchildren in Hailey. She gets to spend sweet holidays with loved ones. A huge fan of UFC, her son Dylan is the light heavyweight champion of Idaho. “He’s just a little dude. But he’s strong. Strong and fast.”
Max and Zuco are her husky and Great Pyrenees, who she loves taking on walks and enjoying the outdoors with.
Community in Action
Kelly’s maxim: “Just keep being kind to people. It makes a difference. I see people every day and we don’t know what they’re going through. So try to be nice. It’s not hard. That’s my whole thing, entirely.”
Beautifully said, that is exactly who Kelly is and she’s a joy to be around, keeping the community light lit. Go see her at Bellevue Atkinsons’, mention this article and make a friend! She’s a lovely soul, absolutely adorable. Her voice alone puts you at ease.