CEDAR RAPIDS -- Bethscheider’s Market, of Cedar Rapids, is celebrating 90 years in business with a big blowout, offering free food, free drinks and free groceries.
The grocery store has been in the Bethscheider family for three generations with the original proprietor, Carl Bethscheider, opening the community store in 1918, which has been a family operation ever since.
Tom Bethscheider, Carl’s grandson, has owned and operated the small-town business for the past 35 years and he wanted to recognize the longevity of local grocery store and the success of his family’s business.
The three-day celebration will be held from Sept. 18-20.
On Thursday, Bethscheider’s Market will offer free muffins, coffee and bread.
Friday, it will offer free coffee and donuts, and from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday the grocery store will provide free hot dogs, chips and pop. On Friday and Saturday, free cake and chocolate fountain will be available and every hour, beginning at 10 a.m., people will have the chance to win a bag of free groceries.
Saturday also will feature activities for the kids, such as the Oreo cookie stacking contest and bubble gum blowing contest, as well attendance by Happy D. Klown from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Anyone who spends at least $20 during the celebration will win a prize.
Tom said the celebration is a way to commemorate and recognize the work his father, Carroll, and his grandfather accomplished.
Although there have been other grocery stores in the community during the past 90 years, Bethscheider’s Market is the only one to succeed, he said.
“This is something that is unusual. Not many grocery stores are that old or have been in the same family for 90 years,” he said.
Tom prides his store on customer service and satisfaction, offering a full carry out service.
Although he would like to see the business stay in the family for the next three generations, unfortunately none of his three children have shown interest in taking over, but he hopes one of them will change their minds.
But even if the store is not handed off to the next generation he would like to see it remain locally owned and operated.
For the community with a population of just over 400, Bethscheider’s Market is the closest grocery store in a 15-mile radius, and Tom would like it to remain a viable business that services the residents of Cedar Rapids.
The most enjoyable thing about owning the local grocery store, he said, is the ability to meet and get to know the people in the community.
Although he is the longest service member of his family, in either of the three generations, Tom said, “I’ll go until I decide to quit,” which will hopefully be long enough to help the grocery store celebrate its 100th anniversary.
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