Kessler’s Food and Grocery — a longtime staple of the Aberdeen community — is being sold after 86 years in business.
Owner Reed Kessler said his family is selling both its Aberdeen and Miller stores to Coborn’s Inc. later this month.
Coborn’s is a Minnesota-based grocery retailer chain. It already owns stores in Huron and Mitchell.
Both Kessler’s locations will continue to run under the “Kessler’s” name.
In a statement announcing the move, Reed Kessler said it’s becoming more difficult to run a small organization in today’s retail landscape. He said Coborn’s size and resources allows Kessler’s stores to stay competitive, and that employees will benefit as Coborn’s is employee-owned.
Kessler also thanked customers for their decades of support.
"Founded by my great grandparents, George and Elizabeth, and carried forward by my grandparents Bob and Kay, and my parents Tim and Amy, my Uncles Tom and George, and now Kristina and me, our family has had the honor of serving South Dakota for 86 years," Kessler said. "We are deeply grateful to your loyalty and support. As we join the Coborn's family, we remain committed to preserving the legacy we've built and ensuring Kessler's continues to be a trusted part of our community for decades to come. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!"