Phil Heinlen has been Rockwell City’s mayor for the past 23 years, and he knows how small towns operate.

“Our town’s success is due to a strong business sector,” said Heinlen. “We enjoy a strong downtown. While other towns are seeing shuttered windows, we are proud to say that most of our stores are active and part of the fabric of Rockwell City.

“Gentry Hardware is a good example of a strong part of our business sector,” continued Heinlen. “Nathan and Emily Gentry stepped up to make sure Rockwell City wasn’t without a business that people count on locally. Hannah Taylor owns and operates Parkside Flowers and Gifts, and locals depend upon her service as well. There are many more examples.”

There was one thing, however, that Heinlen and the Rockwell City Council knew was missing — a grocery store.

-Submitted photos
The Rockwell City Fareway store opened on Feb. 9, 2022.

“It seems like when a small-town grocery store doesn’t exist,” said Heinlen, “the community adjusts to going elsewhere, that it’s part of their new reality. We didn’t want that to be so with Rockwell City or other residents of Calhoun County. A lack of a grocery store can have a huge impact on a town and county; a grocery store means more than just access to healthy food. Rural grocery stores also provide jobs and generate tax revenue. A county seat without a grocery store just isn’t pretty.”

And Rockwell City did what few other towns with just over 2,000 people do: they went after the “big boys.”

“We got the news out that we were looking for a grocery store to come to Rockwell City — a solid, loyal grocer — who we could count on to be around awhile,” said Heinlen. “Fareway was the first to call to say, ‘Well, let’s sit down and chat.'”

“Kelly Smidt, our city clerk, and I met with the District Manager Nick Griener,” said Heinlen, “and there was a mutually good feeling about having Fareway in Rockwell City. They are good folks. It seems that most of the head office came for the grand opening.”

Heinlen noted that Smidt’s involvement in the details was instrumental in landing Fareway Stores.

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Hannah Taylor, at left, owns and operates Parkside Flowers and Gifts in Rockwell City.

Almost a year ago, Fareway Stores hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 339 E. High St. in Rockwell City, and the town was all abuzz about getting quality groceries within the city limits. The location provides for an 11,000-square-foot Fareway grocery store.

“We are excited to bring Fareway to Rockwell City and appreciate the city staff who helped make this project possible,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “While residents may be familiar with our stores and the exceptional customer service experience, we look forward to serving them locally and becoming an integral part of the community.”

Of course, other hallmark businesses were excited about the positive impact as well.

“On behalf of the Rockwell City Chamber and Development, I would like to enthusiastically welcome this new Fareway location to the Rockwell City community,” said Administrative Director Trish Mernka. “Fareway is an excellent addition and will pave the way for exciting new job opportunities for Rockwell City residents and Calhoun County.”

The Rockwell City Fareway is now celebrating a year in town. The grocer has already made a local impact with their online meat market and dietary services as well as support of Rockwell City’s first responders and local food pantry this past holiday season.

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Nathan Gentry, left, and wife Emily Gentry, right, own and operate Gentry Hardware in Rockwell City. The couple stepped up by purchasing and running the town's only hardware store when the former owners were looking for new owners.