Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 5, 2010, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

‘Hometown Proud’ typifies the Solberg family

By Linda Cottrell-Sanders

After over 40 years in the grocery business, the Solberg family is ending its tenure in the Neillsville area.  When Bob and Caryl Solberg joined the International Grocers Alliance (IGA) back in 1977, they took the log, “Hometown Proud,” to new heights.  Years of dedication, service and maintaining a friendly atmosphere brought success to their business, which in turn benefited all in the community.

But let’s start at the beginning when Bob, a resident and graduate of Osseo, takes a summer job at the Farmer’s Store in Neillsville making about 57 cents an hour.  He enjoyed the job so much he cancelled his plans to go on for a higher education and become an electrician.  He was soon transferred to the Farmer’s Store in Rice Lake where he worked as manager, overseeing groceries and meat-cutting.  His friendliness and work ethic caught the attention of Ernie Korth who, along with wife Margaret, owned the West Side Grocery in Neillsville.  Korth was ready to retire to Colorado Springs, CO – he from the grocery business and his wife from teaching.  Korth asked Bob to come and see him to talk – perhaps make a deal.  So Bob went down to Neillsville in early spring of 1969, by now married and a family man, with not a lot of loose change in his pocket. A deal was struck and payments were made when possible, both men trusting the other completely.

When Bob Solberg purchased the West Side Grocery (on West 5^th Street, also then Hwy 10) from Ernie and Margaret Korth back in 1969, little did he and his young family know it would grow into the Neillsville landmark it has become.  The Solberg family has owned the business for about 41 years and has now sold the business.  The present building (pictured below at the northwest corner of W. 5^th St. and Grand Avenue) is actually the third building to house the grocery store. 

Now proud owners of the West Side Grocery, the Solberg family moved into the adjacent house, which allowed Caryl to help out at the business and still keep an eye on the children.  As the business grew, an addition was put onto the building in 1971.  He was retailing through Copps Distributing until 1977 when expansion was again inevitable and the family decided to join IGA.  That year, they purchased a larger store (8,000 square feet) that was situated in the parking area of the present day store.  They also increased their employees from five or six to about a dozen. 

In 1988, again outgrowing the facilities and needing expansion room for the deli, bakery and other departments, they built a new store with 17,000 square feet adjacent to the old one.  Once completed, the old building was torn down and the area now provides parking.  To allow for the expansion, the Solbergs also purchased more property, presently owning most of the entire block.  In the deal they also bought the building that now houses the liquor store, which was owned by other persons, more for the acquisition of the land than the business itself.

The highlight of any IGA retailer’s life happened for Bob Solberg in 1991, as he was named Grocer of the Year in Wisconsin.  Awarded a medal, a ring and other accolades for his achievement, he was honored again that year as one of the six top IGA retailers in the United States.  He received the National IGA Grocers of the Year award at the McCormick Center in Chicago, selected out of 3,000 grocers nationwide.

The Solbergs again expanded in 1990 when they bought the Edgar IGA, which son Scott still owns.  In 1995, they purchased the Greenwood IGA, which was sold in 2002.  In 1997, Bob and Caryl retired from the business, but it remained in the family.  Three of the couple’s six children managed the three stores.  Scott took over ownership of the Neillsville store and still owns the Edgar IGA.  Daughters Kim Oldham managed both branch stores and Lisa Krueger worked in management at the Neillsville store. 

At the time of retirement, the Solbergs employed about 92 people.  Bob said, “We couldn’t have done without our staff.  We had a lot of loyal people and family members, many who are still working.”  He added that many experienced people, those who had worked for the Farmer’s Store, remained on their staff for years.

Bob and Caryl Solberg, former owners of Bob and Caryl’s IGA have seen many changes to the business over the years and will soon see the business pass from the Solberg family to new owners. (Linda Cottrell-Sanders/Clark County Press)

The store is slated to be sold to the Hansen family on or about May 4, ending the Solberg era of ownership in Neillsville, but never ending the impact they have made economically and in many other ways in the community.

The Solbergs have been enjoying their retirement, traveling when possible and visiting my foreign countries.  Caryl has difficulty leaving the company of their eight grandchildren for more than a few weeks at a time but does enjoy the traveling.  Bob keeps busy with a part-time job substituting for rural mail carriers, remains active in fellowship for Calvary Lutheran Church and helped with the building project and has spent 40 years in Kiwanis Club, which locally sponsors the Boy Scouts and provides a budget for Special Olympics.

“Hometown Proud” was their motto…but what they have given to their chosen ‘hometown’ should make Neillsville very proud.

Related Articles:

Bob & Caryl’s IGA sold to Hansen’s IGA (5 May 2010)