The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that local hardware store, Winchester True Value, 1415 W. Main St., Whitewater, has been sold.
Additionally, the chamber extended on Friday its congratulations to former owner Steve Johnson, who, the announcement stated, after operating the store for 46 years, has retired.
The announcement describes Winchester True Value as a “staple in Whitewater for 152 years.”
Johnson officially retired Friday.
The store, according to the announcement, has been sold to Niemann Foods, Inc.
According to its website, Niemann Foods, Inc. (NFI) is an association-owned company which operates across several states, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. Other online information notes that the company, which is headquartered in Quincy, Ill., has, as of 2016, more than 100 locations — such as supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience, pet and hardware stores — most of which operate under the banners of the County Market, County Market Express, Harvest Market, Cenex One-Stop, Haymakers, ACE Hardware, Pet Supplies Plus, and Save-A-Lot.
Additionally, the information states, the “employee-owned, family-run” company was founded in 1917 by brothers Ferd and Steve Niemann. The company began as a grocery store chain, operating 10 corner grocery stores by 1930, and opening its first full-service supermarket in Quincy in 1940.
The company’s website is here: https://www.mycountymarket.com.
According to information supplied by the chamber, shortly after his graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Johnson took over the operations of Winchester True Value.
“Winchester True Value is one of the longest standing and valued members of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce who have been involved in the community in many ways,” the announcement stated.
The release continued: “Steve, as a biking enthusiast, has also been a member of the Whitewater Tourism Council, helping shape the outdoor recreation messaging sent to visitors. The community will certainly miss having him at the helm of the store and we wish him well on his retirement. We are happy to know that he is remaining in Whitewater and continuing his work with the Tourism Council, in between his many upcoming biking adventures.”
In its announcement, the chamber extended a welcoming message to Niemann Foods, writing: “We are sure that they will keep the hometown feel of the store and embrace the Whitewater community as is the tradition at Winchester. We are excited to see what changes and additions they will bring to the store and happy to be able to continue the long-standing relationship with the Chamber.”
Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce and community members gather to wish retiring Winchester True Value owner Steve Johnson well. The group includes: Chamber board members Krystal Walsh, from left, and Amy Fox; community member Dave Saalsaa; chamber board member Amy Oeding; Whitewater City Clerk Michele Smith; Chamber board President Karen McCulloch; Chamber Executive Director Kellie Carper; Johnson, and Robert Sivek. Contributed photo.
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