PETTIBONE, N.D. (KFYR) – Since 1964, the Gruebele family has been at the heart of the small town of Pettibone.
They’ve run the local grocery store 10 hours a day, six days a week.
They’ve provided customers with groceries, greeting cards and other household items, and their impact on the community goes far beyond the items on the shelves.
For as long as he can remember, Brandon Tripp has been shopping at T&V Grocery.
“It’s a big part of everybody’s life around here,” said Tripp.
Tripp’s grandparents, Louie and Violet Gruebele, bought the store in 1964. In 1986, his aunt Verleen and Uncle Terry took over. They changed the name to T&V Grocery, but not much else around here has changed. There are no scanners, just old-fashioned pen and paper.
The shopping carts hold special memories for Tripp.
“When it was naptime, you grab the blanket, put them in the cart, and push them around the store,” recalled Tripp.
This little store holds precious memories for everyone who has ever set foot in it.
“We helped unload the truck, stock the shelves. Didn’t realize then how much fun it was, but I do now,” said Tripp.
“When we’d get done, we’d be heading out the door with an ice cream cone for payment. And if it was a good day, you had a dollar,” added Twila Emery, who grew up helping around the store.
“It’s been the cornerstone of my childhood,” said Dawn Mock, who grew up in Pettibone.
T&V Grocery has kept the same hours for 40 years: 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., six days a week.
Now, Terry and Verleen are ready to retire.
“I thought we’d do it on our own terms,” said Verleen.
And so, they’ve decided Tuesday will be their last day of business.
“It’s going to be a big change,” added Tripp.
For Verleen, this little store has been about more than just groceries.
“Seeing the people,” she said. “I’ve known some of them for three generations.”
It’s about seeing people like Phyllis Nieswaag. She’s known Terry and Verleen her whole life and shopped here for years.
“I will really miss it a lot,” she said.
She’ll miss the shopping and the convenience this little store brings, but most of all, she’ll miss the visits with her friends.
“It was nice to visit with when I came in here,” said Nieswaag.
While this little store provided food for the community, it also offered a sense of community and of belonging.
Verleen and Terry live in an apartment connected to the store. She said she needs to learn to plan ahead when she’s baking, because she’ll no longer be able to run next door and grab what she needs from the store.
T&V will close for the final time at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, T&L Meats will open and offer basic groceries. They’re located next door to T&V.
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