By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
LA CROSSE — A couple from La Crosse has purchased the Rush County Grocery and will reopen it after the first of the year as B's Hometown Market.
Rush County has been without a grocery store since August when Rush County Grocery was seized by the state for nonpayment of taxes.
These last few months have been the first time Rush County has been without a grocery store in 140 years.
Pat and Kelly Baalmann are in the process of remodeling the building at 518 Main in La Crosse.
Pat said the couple, who had run a restaurant and bar in Herrington, had been approached twice by a local banker about purchasing and operating the grocery store. Pat, a native of La Crosse, worked at the grocery store when he was in high school.
The Baalmanns are making about a $500,000 investment in gutting the building and replacing all of the old shelving and equipment.
The coolers in the building had been there likely since the 1980s, Kelly said. They were all open coolers, which are not very energy efficient. The former owners were constantly struggling with cooler breakdowns, Kelly said.
The Baalmanns worked with Midwest Energy to do an energy audit of the business. They estimate they can cut their energy bill in half by installing new coolers and LED lights.
Pat said keeping operating costs low so the business can keep prices reasonable is going to be one of the most significant challenges.
Inflation has driven up meat and dairy costs. Meats, poultry, eggs and fish have had an 11.4 percent increase in the past year.
Many small rural communities have seen discount stores enter their markets. La Crosse has a Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General. Pat said he did not see the discount stores hurting his business.
"I've talked to a couple of other grocery people that are in our same situation, a small town with Walmart and Dillons 30 minutes away," Pat said.
"The Dollar Tree and Dollar General have actually helped them because [customers] are not going to Walmart to get their toilet paper and Kleenex. They are running to the local stores for that and staying local for the food."
The Baalmanns will have many of the same products as the former grocery store. They will continue to be supplied by Affiliated Foods of Amarillo, Texas. However, the meat department will be twice as big.
Selection also will be a challenge, Pat said.
"In a small town, you can't bring in everything that everyone wants," he said. "You just don't have the room. We'll fight that battle and do as much special ordering as we can."
Kelly added, "We'll be learning what our community's wants and needs are."
Kelly said she wants to get back to the small-town market feel by offering services such as carry-out.
Brad Penka, Rush County Economic Development administrator, said the grocery store has been sorely missed in the short time it has been closed.
"People really need that source of fresh, healthy foods that the store will provide," he said.
Kelly said the community has realized the importance of having a grocery store since the Rush County Grocery closed.
Kelly said she has talked to a couple of owners of rental properties who said their tenants moved out after the grocery store closed.
The store was bringing in $22,000 to $25,000 in sales tax revenue.
The Baalmanns said the elderly and disabled have been hit especially hard by the absence of a grocery store. In her market research, Kelly said she found that 30 percent of the Rush County population are seniors or have disabilities. That is why B's Hometown Market will offer delivery, she said.
"It makes those little differences on the weekend when you can't just go and get a bag of lettuce if you need a bag of lettuce," she said.
Businesses, such as the hospital, the nursing home and day cares, also need access to fresh meat and produce, she said.
Penka added, "We do appreciate the Baalmann's were able to step up so quickly. That is greatly appreciated by all of us in the community."
The Baalmanns had hoped to reopen the store in January, but they have run into delays getting the new equipment because of supply chain issues. Pat said the store will probably open in February.
Pat will be working in the business full time, but Kelly plans to keep the full-time job she has now and work in the business part time. The Baalmanns' children, 21 and 14, also will likely be involved.
The couple plans to hire four full-time staff and five to 10 part-time workers.
Hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. You can follow the store on Facebook.
"We are excited about this, and we think it will be great for us and great for the community," Kelly said.