February 12, 2007 - Monday - Grafton, ND

Todays Gazette is brought to you from a small town in America. Use it,
or lose it.
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"Profanity is absolute proof that the fastest sperm isn't always the
smartest."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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Some have probably already noticed that one of our two major grocery
stores has decided to close. Not long ago, one of our two new car
dealerships closed, giving reason, I think, for the following note from
one of our Gazette members. >>>
I have been reading your comments about using the business in our
local community but I do think there is another side to the coin here
that the business community needs to consider. I have said for a long
time that our grocery stores are responsible for lots of business going
out of town. Just think about the business they would have if they were
the least bit more competitive. And you have to remember that many in
this area work at lower paying jobs and for them shopping smart is not
just an option but a necessity. It would help if our Congress could
get around to doing something about the minimum wage, wouldn't it? I
fully realize that grocery stores work on a small margin but they too
need to realize that their business community is no longer Grafton but a
larger area. Wallys has had some great promotions recently.
My second point is that businesses need to consider their customer
service. I recall one time when we were new in town going into an auto
dealer with the full intention of buying a car soon and standing around
for 10 minutes while sales people looked at us but did not approach us.
Needless to say we went elsewhere. Do they seek out opinions from
folks about how they could improve their business or customer relations?
I know there are times when I try to find an item in Grafton but
can find no source for it. It might be nice if you might be the channel
to get this information passed on to merchants who may be unaware of an
unmet need. I'll get off my soapbox and please do not use my name. -----
<<< Thanks for caring and sharing. I too believe there is much value in
the "general message" this note offers.
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Of course the loss of Denny's is a serious blow to our community. On
the other hand, it isn't like we haven't already had our share of
grocery stores. (Use it, or lose it) To that end Wally sent us his
memories. >>>> Hi Gary
This grocery thing has caught my interest. If you want to get
information on brick work go to a brick layer if you want information on
grocery stores go to an old grocer.
Grocery stores in Grafton have an interesting history. Let me tell
you about some, not necessarily in there order of time.
Gravings store Started on main street where Edward Jones is now. It
was owned by Johnny Graving, a wonderful generous man. It went out of
business because he was too generous and gave to much credit during the
depression. He opened a small store on 2nd street between Kittson and
Griggs.
Dons Kearney's grocery, on 3rd st. where the Engineering firm is
north of the armory. East side Grocery was on 5th & Prospect was owned
by Al and Lux Johnson, Great people. My kids went there a lot when we
lived on Prospect. Anholts was north of the Extra End on 5th. I went to
work there when I was 8 years old.I will keep this short on my
employment there. I almost got fired on my first day. I was emptying
eggs 4 at a time, he said it had to be 3 dozen at a time. When I tried
it, and the card board under the eggs broke and the eggs broke, I
pleaded for another chance. He said I was to young but gave me that
chance. I never broke another egg. He showed me how to tie a package
tight and not put your finger on the knot. I still use that trick
today.
Red owl was where Valley Music is. Bill Parklo was the
manager, next was Fred Hoenkeand then Al Zinke.
ThenHartz opened where Edward Jones is now. They slaughtered meat in
the back and Elmer Coulthart and Bill Clark were the butchers. The store
was owned by Morris Carrico. Good guy butVery Hot tempered. He hated
all of his competitors. I was in his store just looking around and I
ended up out on the side walk.
National Tea was on the lot east of our mayors office. I worked there
and I learned to cut meat there, before I went to Bismarck after
graduating from high school. Louie Regelstad was the manager, Butch
Johnson ran the meat dept. and Don Thomas the produce. Fish all came in
whole and I got the job of filleting them. I got very good at it too,
or, I would have been fired like Jim Upham did. I think he was to slow
or some thing..... I got his job he's my class mate and we e-mail each
other every day.
There was City Food where the Dollar store is and Stan Wysokie owned
it. Leo Kulas had a meat market in the back, where they also slaughtered
animals.
Reylecks had a grocery storeand sold home brand foods, the very best.
Al Driscol Managed it
S & L had a food store in the back, owned by Sutterlands. We
must not forget Gillespies Meat market, he was a super butcher and
comedian.
On the west side of the street in the middle of the block was Homers
Super Valu owned by Homer Nelson. Homers moved into the old Post Office
building where the Choice Financial is now. Homer sold to Eddie Keller
who moved to the south end where the dollar store is now, next to
Eversons. Next to Homers was Gambles Grocery run by many managers, one
was Earl Hegstad a great community man.
Lets not forget Kings grocery on the corner east of wells fargo.
Andy Troudeau and later Fred Arason.
I must also mention the storenorth of the Tollafson Funeral home
on the alley. Wally Bracket started it, next Jack Horish and then a man
we all know well LADDIE PICH. I must finish with the a word on the fire.
The rats ran all over when it was on fire, some ran south, toward Alida
Goodmans home, some went west. There were 5 ladies standing there in
their nighties and housecoats watching the fire. They saw the rats and
all vanished in seconds
Gary, you know I type with only one finger and spell worse. But
I got the grocery store story here in Grafton. My years in the grocery
business have been lots of fun,... with lots of memories,... all good.
Have a great day Wally
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Wally must have really been thinking about the grocery business.
Shortly after the previous note he sent this followup.
>>> Hi Gary
One store I forgot, and I don't know how I forgot it, was Ted
Hoffmans Red and White store. It eventually changed to a Piggley
Wiggley which was big in those days. WaltHoffman took it over and
moved to Western Plaza. It was then sold to Denny schnieder.
Do you realize that is 17 grocery stores?
There were a lot more before my time. Wally <<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Wally. We also shouldn't forget
that the Greevers family added much to our grocery store history and
also Roman Woinarowicz's family owned and operated Hill Avenue grocery.
Then too, we must remember Vally & Joyce Sass' contributions to our
communities caloric composite. Vally-Jo's was just down the street from
us for several years.
As I look over that list, I find it almost impossible to believe, after
all of those grocery stores..... Grafton, very soon, will be down to one
single solitary grocery store.
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The other day I mentioned in the Gazette that the Spoilers won over the
Rough Riders 4 to 3. I am pleased to share the following in that regard.
>>> Dear Gary:
That's what I'm talking about. Thank you so much for the Spoiler
update. There is much joy in China Grove to hear the names Demers, Sand,
and Hills, let me tell you. Keep up the great work!
God bless all the Spoilers near and far! Greg Yeager
China Grove North Carolina <<< Thanks Greg. It's always fun knowing
someone reads this stuff.
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GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
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"If you don't tell me, I don't know. If I don't know, I can't tell
you." GLM


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