Lange’s Grocers opening in Mabel!

Excitement is building as Lange’s Grocers gets ready to open its doors in downtown Mabel on November 18. It’s been more than six years since the town has had a grocery store and residents are looking forward to shopping locally again. Lange’s Grocers is located at 110 N. Main Street in the former furniture store building.

Bryce Lange is the person who is making this a reality, along with the help of the City of Mabel EDA (Economic Development Authority). Lange received a $35,000 loan from the EDA and also took out another loan from First Southeast Bank in Harmony. He is getting the building contract for deed from the current owner, which he said helped a lot with keeping his initial investment down.

“It can work, but it’s going to need people who will shop locally,” Lange said. “I believe this can be a viable business for Mabel and will help our economy by keeping money within our community. We plan to attract customers by offering locally grown and raised food options with good customer service. We want to help the economy as much as possible, so we are partnering with local food producers.”

“Customers can expect an array of foods including fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, dairy products and canned goods,” Lange said. “They can also expect that the store will change according to their needs and wants. If we don’t carry a certain product, we will work to ensure that we can get that product for them. We’ll have a suggestion box and encourage everyone to give us feedback.”

Lange is familiar with business and is employed by CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates). As the economic development resource person for the City of Mabel, he heard from a number of people about bringing a grocery store back to Mabel. “It’s a big step, but I’m confident that it can work. I’ve hired Nancy Gjere as the manager. She was the former grocery store manager and knows the business, this community and its customers.”

Lange plans to have approximately eight employees to work at the store, which will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. “We plan to implement a home and business delivery service by the end of the year, where people will be able to call and order their items or visit a website and select items there.” 

Lange will have a variety of incentive programs including a discount of 10% if you purchase $100-199 of goods, 20% off $200-299 and 30% off purchases of $300 or more. Customers don’t need to apply for this program, the discount will be given automatically. According to Lange, if you do a price comparison, you’ll find these discounted prices to be comparable to the prices found at the big box stores.

“I would encourage you to give us a try,” Lange said. “We employ local people, buy and sell local foods and will be involved in the community as much as possible. It is important to shop local whenever possible. If people do most of their shopping at big box stores, smaller businesses are sometimes forced to go out of business and local economies are hurt as a result.”

The grocery store will occupy a portion of the large furniture store building. Lange is looking to lease the other part and encourages people to contact him if interested. All utilities would be included in the rent. Contact Bryce at (507) 459-2679 or email him at brycelange13@gmail.com. Also check out Lange’s Grocers on Facebook.

Lange will be at the store when he can, but plans to keep his full-time job with CEDA. He and his wife and son live in Lewiston, where they will continue to live. Lange is on the Lewiston City Council.