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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Thankful Bemidji Grocer Shares His Success With His Employees
Article by: LARRY OAKES , Star Tribune
Updated: November 23, 2012 - 8:22 AM
BEMIDJI, MINN. - Joe Lueken spent 46 years becoming a successful grocer and community benefactor here. Finally, at 70, he's ready to sell the business, travel the world with his wife, Janice, and reap some of what they've sown.
So when he strides into his south Bemidji supermarket and 2 1/2-year employee Maria Svare smiles broadly and asks him, "How do you like my store today?" it might sound like a joke. But it's not. And that's part of why hundreds of Bemidji residents are thankful this holiday season for Joe Lueken.
On Jan. 1, Lueken's Village Foods, with two supermarkets in Bemidji and another in Wahpeton, N.D., will begin transferring ownership to its approximately 400 employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).
Lueken said he had multiple offers to sell to large independent chains and might have gotten more money that way. But he and his family believe that selling to workers will be better for them, the business and this north-central Minnesota city of 13,000 people.
MORE
Updated: November 23, 2012 - 8:22 AM
BEMIDJI, MINN. - Joe Lueken spent 46 years becoming a successful grocer and community benefactor here. Finally, at 70, he's ready to sell the business, travel the world with his wife, Janice, and reap some of what they've sown.
So when he strides into his south Bemidji supermarket and 2 1/2-year employee Maria Svare smiles broadly and asks him, "How do you like my store today?" it might sound like a joke. But it's not. And that's part of why hundreds of Bemidji residents are thankful this holiday season for Joe Lueken.
On Jan. 1, Lueken's Village Foods, with two supermarkets in Bemidji and another in Wahpeton, N.D., will begin transferring ownership to its approximately 400 employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).
Lueken said he had multiple offers to sell to large independent chains and might have gotten more money that way. But he and his family believe that selling to workers will be better for them, the business and this north-central Minnesota city of 13,000 people.
MORE
- After all the employer selfishness we've seen lately, what a great way to start the week!!!
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A Thankful Bemidji Grocer Shares His Success With His Employees (Original Post)
DeSwiss
Nov 2012
OP
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)1. He seems to be saying he didn't build that...... all by himself. nt
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)3. Exactly. And I'm hoping it's becoming a trend.....
LarryNM
(493 posts)2. Great Ideal! Employee is Labor, Management and Owner
Wish I had heard about it sooner, and that it would have gone to the greatest.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)5. Minnesota Nice!
demmiblue
(36,903 posts)6. Now THAT is how it should be done!
Thank you, Mr. Lueken.