"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
Mabel grocery store closes
Mon, Apr 30th, 2012
Posted in Mabel All
Posted in Mabel All
Comments
The grocery store in Mabel, Hometown Foods, recently closed its doors, leaving the residents there with no choice but to travel outside of town to purchase food. The city and the EDA, however, are working to replace the store and to meet the needs of the people of Mabel.
Kirsten Wyffels, president of the EDA (Economic Development Authority), said they are still in the preliminary stages, but are looking into options such as a co-op.
“We’re working on gathering information on what has worked for other towns and what has not, and we’re looking at funding,” shared Wyffels.
They are still looking for a site in town that would be the best location. The first step before doing anything is a Feasibility Study. This must be done to determine whether it’s feasible to pay for a grocery store in Mabel.
Wyffels said losing the store has been hard on the community, but they are doing what they can to help. Right now they are looking for volunteers to deliver groceries from Red’s in Spring Grove to Mabel residents.
“We are trying to help our community out,” said Wyffels. “There are people who can’t drive or get to the grocery store, and those are people that we are worried about.”
After the feasibility study, the EDA will get started on a business plan and look more into options for a co-op. Wyffels said that co-ops have worked well in some communities, and not in others, and they have a lot of research to do.
Mayor Liz Folstad said they would like as much community involvement as possible, and she thinks a co-op might be the answer.
“We are looking at getting a grant to get a building built and allow the co-op or whatever organization we choose to go with to rent it and operate it as a grocery store again,” said Folstad. She added there is no confirmation as to what land they might use, and they are still willing to talk to Patty Vatland, the owner of Hometown Foods, about using that location.
“We are in the very baby stages of everything,” stated Folstad. “The feasibility study should be back this week, then we can prepare a business plan.”
Kirsten Wyffels, president of the EDA (Economic Development Authority), said they are still in the preliminary stages, but are looking into options such as a co-op.
“We’re working on gathering information on what has worked for other towns and what has not, and we’re looking at funding,” shared Wyffels.
They are still looking for a site in town that would be the best location. The first step before doing anything is a Feasibility Study. This must be done to determine whether it’s feasible to pay for a grocery store in Mabel.
Wyffels said losing the store has been hard on the community, but they are doing what they can to help. Right now they are looking for volunteers to deliver groceries from Red’s in Spring Grove to Mabel residents.
“We are trying to help our community out,” said Wyffels. “There are people who can’t drive or get to the grocery store, and those are people that we are worried about.”
After the feasibility study, the EDA will get started on a business plan and look more into options for a co-op. Wyffels said that co-ops have worked well in some communities, and not in others, and they have a lot of research to do.
Mayor Liz Folstad said they would like as much community involvement as possible, and she thinks a co-op might be the answer.
“We are looking at getting a grant to get a building built and allow the co-op or whatever organization we choose to go with to rent it and operate it as a grocery store again,” said Folstad. She added there is no confirmation as to what land they might use, and they are still willing to talk to Patty Vatland, the owner of Hometown Foods, about using that location.
“We are in the very baby stages of everything,” stated Folstad. “The feasibility study should be back this week, then we can prepare a business plan.”