Posted: 6/28/05
Couple enjoys life, business in Eitzen
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Five years ago, Bryan and Kelly Spier were not imagining themselves running a little market in a little Minnesota town. They were living outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Bryan sold for Martin Brothers, a food wholesaler, and Kelly worked at Great Clips and was a motivational speaker.
The move to Minnesota four years ago was made so that Bryan could be more centrally located in his sales territory. They chose Eitzen simply because they found the perfect home here.
ìEven before we went inside, we knew it was the one,î said Bryan.
They found the tiny city to be a welcoming place.
ìBryan was solicited to be a Lions member twice while we were moving in,î recalled Kelly. He did become a Lions member, and they settled into their new life in Eitzen.
ìYou couldnít ask for nicer people or a nicer town, itís a very welcoming place,î said Kelly.
About a year after the move, the store which was then known a Sandyís Grocery became available. Bryan recalled that Toby Burrichter of Eitzen State Bank asked him if he wanted to buy the store. Bryan said no. He asked Kelly, and Kelly said no.
Toby kept asking, and pretty soon Bryan started thinking that the store wouldnít be such a bad idea.
ìI kept saying ëno,í but it didnít work,î said Kelly.
Eventually, they both realized that the store might fit their lifestyle. They live close by, and Kelly could still have the kids, now ages 9, 5 and 1, around. The idea took hold, and they purchased the store on July 23, 2004.
The store closed for several weeks for some modifications, which included turning an office into a toy room where the kids could hang out while at the store. They freshened up the inside of the store with new paint, and on the exterior added new siding and windows and performed some landscaping. They opened for business on August 13 of 2004.
ìIt was a new experience having a grocery store,î said Kelly. One of the things she did was try to learn her customersí preferences so that she can have what they need on hand.
And the Spiers added a new few things as well.
ìWe brought cappucino to Eitzen,î Kelly said. They also have video games for the kids, and Kelly makes sandwiches fresh daily that are ready-to-go.
Being at home for three years didnít give Kelly much of an opportunity to get to know people, but being in the store has offered plenty of opportunity for that. She has a group of 11 that congregates for coffee every morning, and she looks forward to seeing those familiar faces. The large round table they use was broken during remodeling, but they made sure it was repaired before opening.
With Bryan continuing with his ìregularî job, the store is primarily Kellyís domain. The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:30 to noon on Saturday. The store will be open additional hours over the Fourth of July weekend. The recently completed wheelchair ramp will make the store handicapped-accessible.
The Spiers have enjoyed Eitzen and are enjoying their business as well.
ìItís fun, it really is,î said Kelly. ìItís fun to come to work.î
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com