When is a grocery store more than a grocery store? When it has Kenyon Market Famous meatballs, gluten free meatballs, and Pulsa made on site! This is a tradition that has been around for years, and I think it's worth talking about!
Pete Wagner, owner of Kenyon Market located at 109 Red Wing Avenue, grew up in the grocery business in Adams, MN. His grandfather John Wagner started a grocery store in Adams in the 1940's, which his father then took over in the 1970's. When Pete graduated, his father began expanding by buying small grocery stores in the area. After graduating from Mankato State University, Pete worked as a musician in the Dallas TX area before returning home and purchasing a store in New Richland MN. 11 years ago when the Kenyon Market came up for sale he couldn't pass on the opportunity . His brother Chris owns the Island Market in Pine Island, which is why you will see the same advertising for both stores.
I wandered into the store a few weeks ago, because if you get the Messenger, you will see they have a new ad posted once a month. Just go into the store with the entry tickets to a drawing giving the winner a free $25 gift certificate for one of Kenyon's restaurants! Once I was there, I had to wander around and see what they carried. I found things I have never seen in other local grocery stores. The one I had to ask about was the "Kenyon Market Famous" products. I made an appointment to meet with Pete, and asked him what that was all about. I expected to hear it was an advertising ploy to get people to come in, but no! It's a real thing!
The previous owner, Fred Braegelmann, purchased the store from Owen Musgjerd and with it some famous local recipes. With a large Scandinavian local population, Fred continued the tradition of pulsa in his store much to the delight of its customers. Not having to butcher the animal, grind it onto sausage, season it and stuff it into a casing was a great time saver! The next thing was Meatball mix, and it, too, continued to be a hit among the locals and was intertwined with many local family traditions. When Fred purchased the store, he made sure he got the rights to the recipes that had become so popular with the townspeople. When Pete purchased the store, he also got the recipe, and now Carla and Sonya make it still, in store, and with a gluten free option as well. People order these delicacies year round with orders peaking around the holidays! Many of the churches in the area give Pete their orders well ahead of the traditional church suppers we enjoy in this neck of the woods! That way, you know you are eating the freshest meat available. They have since begun making ham loaf, pork sausage and Italian sausage as well.
More of the traditional foods I saw were lefse, both the mix to make it yourself, and the lefse itself. Lutefisk can be found in the freezer and is still available for fresh orders too. I purchased some creamed herring to try when I got home, and I am pleased to say, it is the best I have found in the area!
While Pete and his wife Dorothy live in Rochester where his wife owns a family therapy practice with their kids Phoebe and Jack, Pete commutes to Kenyon to make sure the store runs to his standards. I asked him what he considers to be the most important parts of running a small town grocery store. "I want to be able to provide the freshest and healthiest foods for my customers," he said. "Knowing what people want is just a matter of letting them know that if there is a product they want us to carry, I will do my best to get it for them." I then asked about any changes he was putting into effect that were different from the previous owners. He told me about the Kenyon Market app where you can log in on your phone, take advantage of "App Only" specials, get points for what you spend, and Loyalty Rewards. They have a Milk punch card where when you buy certain amounts of special items, you will earn one free. And if you are like me, and not technical in these areas, just ask anyone at the Market to help you sign up, and they will be happy to show you how it's done!
One thing Pete and his employees miss seeing around the store is long time store manager Randy. He recently retired and is missed by all. But Pete acknowledges that the staff still on board are great and can answer your questions and help you find the items you are looking for. Pete feels incredibly blessed to have such an amazing crew of employees and to be in such a vibrant small town with special and unique traditions .
So if you haven't been in to see the major renovations and host of new products they carry, come in and see the changes. If you don't find what you are looking for, just ask, and if they don't carry it yet, they may be able to find it for you. I would have to say, small town service is the best!
