AURORA—The prospect of having a grocery store in their hometown of Aurora has city officials and residents excited for the future.
Aurora once had six grocery stores but currently is without one, former Mayor Al Hodnik said at Friday’s ribbon cutting for Aurora Main Street Market Cooperative.
“This is a food desert,” said St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald. “People want their groceries delivered. I get it.”
The residents have also been without a place to talk with their neighbors and fellow residents. Visiting at the grocery store is important because that’s where everyone goes, he added.
In addition to grocery items and checkout lanes, the market will feature a deli area and seating for customers.
“We are just thrilled to have the market opening soon. It’s been a long haul,” said HRA Chair Mary Lockwood.
Primary funder Tahn Dinh “has been such an enthusiastic person to get this going. He’s spent so much time on this,” she added.
Lockwood went on to say Dinh and his family were sponsored by the Catholic Church as they came to Aurora during the Vietnam War. Dinh was 3 at the time.
“He grew up here and then moved to California, made his money and came back and invested it in this community, which is quite outstanding,” Lockwood said.
Chamber President Norma Jean Jofs said Dinh wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to his mother and his family.
“It was his vision and I’m excited to see what else he’s going to do for this town. He’s got great ideas.”
While community leaders celebrated the milestone, work remains before the market can open.
The shelves at the new market are still empty, but Interim General Manager Jon VanDamme said the store could be up and running in as little as two months.
VanDamme, who is originally from Aurora, said it also might take longer with many tasks remaining.
He has spent many years in the grocery business and said, “It’s really cool,” to help bring a grocery store to town.
VanDamme first worked at Zup’s in Aurora before working in the industry in the Fargo-Moorhead area and in Glencoe for the last 25 years.
Mayor Doug Gregor said the mantra of the town’s residents has always been, “Can we get our grocery store back?”
“It was kind of a whisper and a prayer but then Tahn came in here and said he was willing to finance it. We got together with his team and they produced a remarkable product,” Gregor said. “What a beautiful transformation of an old building. At least there should be some real potential for satisfying the local needs so we’re not a food desert. Everyone’s looking forward to the day when food’s on the shelf.”
“I think I speak for the council that everybody’s fully elated this has gotten this far,” Gregor added. “The cooperative form of governing is so beautifully suited for a community-committed and community-oriented business. It will be interesting to see that evolve too.”
Regarding the cooperative, Jofs said individuals can buy A Shares for $100 and become members. Every time members shop, their member number will be noted and they will receive a percentage back as a credit each year.
She said individuals can also buy C Shares for $500. They will then be considered investors. Based on what the market makes, the investors will be paid dividends each year.
Anyone interested in buying shares can pick up applications at the market.
Friday’s celebration also served as a reminder of the building’s long history in Aurora.
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Hodnik spoke of Aurora’s history and the mining industry.
In 2001, the question was whether the building the market now occupies should be saved.
Hodnik said he worked to keep the building in working order for many years because it was more cost-effective than tearing it down and building a new structure.
“It is now living for another day,” he said. “We’re fortunate we saved this.”
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