Changing Hands
Emporia’s oldest grocery chain is being sold out of the Reeble family
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 05:01 p.m., December 5, 2007
Updated 03:33 p.m., December 6, 2007
Emporia’s only remaining locally owned grocery stores will soon be sold.
It was announced Wednesday that the three stores, both Reeble’s Country Mart locations and Price Chopper, will change hands on Feb. 1. The stores will be taken over by a corporation called Bob’s Super Saver. The corporation has stores in Coffeyville, Chanute and Garnett.
Rudolph Reeble founded Reeble’s Grocery stores in 1883. Graham, who is the son-in-law of Rudolph’s grandson, Bernard, began working at Reeble’s in 1962. On Wednesday afternoon, he announced the impending sale from his office overlooking the checkstands below at Reeble’s North.
Graham said the time is right for him to retire.
“It was just time for me to get out and start something else,” he said. “I’m 66, soon to be 67. It’s kind of funny to think of retirement. You kind of know when it is time.”
Graham said Larry Good, president of the corporation that is buying the Reeble’s stores in Emporia, called him back in March to see if he would be interested in selling the stores.
“It just kind of progressed from there,” Graham said.
Graham said the grocery store business can be a tough business.
“It can be difficult to sell one,” he added.
Graham said before he agreed to sell the store, he did his homework on Bob’s Super Saver.
“I checked them out somewhat financially,” Graham said. “I talked to the president. He spoke highly of them. He said they’ll take almost all the employees you have here and they’ve been around. They run good operations.”
The stores in Emporia will be able to keep their names, Graham said. He said the only difference in the stores besides being owned and operated by a different corporation is the distribution site of the food. The food will come from Springfield, Mo., instead of Kansas City.
“That’ll really be the only change,” Graham added.
Graham said he still plans to be involved with Reeble’s Corporation — selling the grocery stores is a way of downsizing, he said.
“This town has been great for us,” Graham said. “We got about 150 people (employed) — long-term people.”
In an interview earlier this year, Graham said he has seen a lot of changes in the grocery business.
“ ... When I started here, they didn’t have plastic wrap or plastic bags. They just didn’t have them,” he said.
He also recalled the year 1962, when there were 26 grocery stores in Emporia. Seven of those were supermarkets and eight of them were on Commercial Street between Reeble’s North and Soden’s Grove.
“You could look out and look at the other guys’ signs,” Graham said.
Now, on that same stretch, only Reeble’s remains.
The hardest thing for Graham to leave is the people, he said.
“Basically it’s the people that you work with,” he said. “It’s hard to tell them. It’s the people ... you usually get close with a lot of them. It’s been an enjoyable thing for me. Everything has its ups and downs ... but it’s been good.”
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Nooooooooo! No! Don't do it! Isn't there a next generation to pass it on to, if Rudolph wants out? That's it! I've had it. I'm going to start shopping in Kansas City.
December 6, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
I agree mythoughts, WHAT a shame that it will sold.. It is so nice to shop at the 2 Reebles now because there clean!! and also very nice people working at both of them., unlike dillons,
even if bobs keeps the Reebles name , and they probably wont, the stores just wont mean the same, damn I remember going to the OLD Reebles across the street east of south reebles now with my parents, and then we would stop at the ICE plant beside the rail-crossing and get out frozen beef, enough for a couple of weeks and head back to the country, damn life was good back then
December 6, 2007 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
funston (anonymous) says...
Dear Arnold Graham,
I understand.
The energy starts to wane and it may be time to move on and or retire..
Also, Thank you very much for stopping me in the cold snow covered parking lot of the Body Works Gym with my dog Yoda Boy when you found out I was Frank Funston Eckdall.
Like you, I remember the old Emporia and I really appreciated being remembered after being gone for so long. The second coming of Frank Eckdall may be the last.
Whatever you do I wish you the very best!
Your friend,
Frank Funston Eckdall
December 6, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
Mr. Graham,
Thank you for your many years of service to the Emporia community! Reebles contribution to the local economy and to many local causes and charities is a model for other businesses in Emporia. You should be very proud of all that you have accomplished. Now, take a well deserved break.
I hope the new owners will keep your wonderful staff and live up to the high standard that you have set for the Reebles name.
December 6, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Arnie,
Yes, you've worked hard in a difficult business and you deserve to take your time in the sun. One thing for sure, you must be a great man to work for because all your people are so nice and they stay for a good long time. Good luck to you and thanks for being willing to accomodate folks whenever you could, and for being a generous sponsor of so many things in Emporia.
December 6, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keasha (anonymous) says...
The community of Emporia should be proud to have such a man as Arnie Graham and the Reeble family in it. They have establlished a lot of excellent programs in this community such as the Reeble's Day Care program at Flint Hills Technical College for single mothers who are struggling and trying to attend school, and the Reeble's Scholarship program for specific programs at the Flint Hills Technical College. He is a current trustee on the Jones Foundation board, and Jones Trust board who we all know contnue to contribute to the Health, Welfare, and Education of family's in 3 counties. Mr. Graham has been in this community longer than my 25 years. He has always taken excellent care of his employees, many have proved that through longivity. His stores have always been well maintained, clean, and well stocked. In today's society many changes occur on a yearly basis, the unexpected, and uncertainly of new ownership always upsets people. Instead of looking at the selling of the Reeble's Corporation as something bad, think of this as a positive thing for Mr. Graham and his family, as well as the community of Emporia. From what I have read so far from Mr.Graham's interview he did not make this decision lightly, and I am sure has also lost many nights sleep. Look to the future and give Bob's Super Stores a chance to offer things to our community we might not otherwise have a chance at. The Reeble and Graham family's have served this community well over the years through their friendship, and financial contributions back to Emporia. They have left their legacy to continue on. Rather than criticizing we should all be patting him on the back and saying "Thank you" for a job well done. My entire family wish you, Arnie and your family the very best in the years to come. It's time to set back and enjoy things for a change.
December 6, 2007 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )