While grocery shopping recently you may have noticed a score of workers in the aisles at Lynn’s DakotaMart. The store originally built in 1962, with additions in 1980, was being prepped for a new line of store brand products. Lynns is becoming a home to the Associated Food Stores brand of products.
When Nash Finch started the Belle Fourche store, it was originally Piggly Wiggly, then still under their ownership Sunmart Foods and Family Thrift until being purchased by Lynn’s in 2006.
63 years and two owners. Until this move to AFS the store has carried the Our Family line of products. Lynn’s Dakotamart decision to change.
Third generation owner Lincoln Feist, the grandson of Lynn’s founder Lynn and his wife Georgia Feist who purchased their first grocery store in Faith in 1968, had this to say about the changes, “the main reason for the change was to better unify our company.
We have been operating as a segmented company for so long that being able to tie the majority of the stores under one umbrella is special. I would say we have been especially excited about some new items for our markets to try as well as some more aggressive ads.
We believe this partnership with AFS is the best thing for our communities as well as the best thing for Lynn’s.”
Associated Food Stores was founded on the idea of local grocers banding together to help improve individual businesses and that philosophy continues today by sourcing local products when possible.
Some of the new brand items are already there but current Our Family brand products will continue to be sold until current supplied are depleted at which time they will be replaced with the new store brand labeled products.
One of the new items already there will be Red Button ice cream. Made at the Red Button Vintage Creamery in Richmond, Utah they produce over twenty flavors, both classic and unique.
This writer has tired their White Chocolate Strawberry and can without reservation recommend. Store manager Jim Grapentine wishes to thank everyone for their patience with the time of transition.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
