Once home to four groceries, Braham has waited several years since the last store shut its doors. But on Oct. 30, ground was cut for the new Main Street Market & Deli at 146 South Main Street.

The ceremony held that morning has been a high point for owners Danny and Michele Richardson of Braham on their 18-month journey to bring a full-line grocery back to town.

“I’ve been a manager at BP stores in Grantsburg and here in Braham. When that last grocery store closed down, we thought opening a new grocery was something we should do,” began Michele Richardson. “We started checking out buildings when the hardware store was for sale, but that didn’t work. Staying downtown was always a goal for us. It’s been a heck of a ride so far.”

Continued Danny Richardson, “Classic Construction is going to build a building for us. St. Cloud Refrigeration is going to put in the refrigeration equipment. Village Bank in Blaine is financing the project. They have all been incredible to work with.”

A unique aspect to the Richardson’s business quest has been the number of civic-minded neighbors who jumped in to help make the grocery a reality.

“We needed help with part of the financing, and Jim Londgren got 24 people together to sign on a note to get cash going. Mayor Terry Turnquist and the city council helped us out by getting us approved for tax increment financing. Those leaders absolutely didn’t discourage us from doing this,” said Michele.

The full grocery line for Main Street Market & Deli will be supplied by Henry Foods out of Alexandria, a subsidiary of Pocahontas Foods USA. Included among the broasted chicken and other deli offerings are plans for a delivery service, particularly to elderly homes.

“A grocery store is an important piece of the puzzle as far as a community goes. The Richardsons have been plugging away very hard on this. It’s not an easy thing,” said Mayor Turnquist. “They’ve cleared all the hurdles, and they’re breaking ground. We’re thrilled.”

Explained Londgren on his impetus for jumping on board the Richardson’s financial bandwagon, “I thought it was ridiculous for a town this size to not have a genuine grocery store. We needed some community input to support the Richardsons in this venture. We were able to get 24 people to sign promissory notes which the Braham bank fronted.”

He continued, “And I never heard a negative word. Everyone’s comments were, ‘We’ve got to have a grocery store in Braham.’ I just can’t say enough of Tony Zeiss and his Village Bank. Tony just worked his rear end off, and he had a lot of hurdles to cross to make yesterday’s closing possible.”

The Richardsons projected a three-month construction period for Main Street Market & Deli, depending on the upcoming weather. Londgren said continued support will help make the venture a success when the doors open in 2008.

“We have to patronize the store. We had a lot of local people who, for a number of reasons, couldn’t provide financial assistance up front. But they said, ‘We’ll guarantee you one thing: we’ll patronize the store,’” finished Londgren.

On the spirit of the venture, he added, “It’s a never give-up attitude the Richardsons showed. They are convinced a grocery store could operate here. And if they wouldn’t quit, the rest of us wouldn’t quit, either. The community participation was vital. I have every confidence it’s going to work. It’s got to.”