By Pat Melgares
K-State Research and Extension
MANHATTAN, Kan. – An idea spawned at Kansas State University to support rural grocery stores in transition to new ownership has grown into a network of resource providers in 11 states.
Clara Misenhelter, a program manager with K-State’s Rural Grocery Initiative, credits an online course for helping to address a growing concern in rural communities.
“In 2021, the Rural Grocery Initiative surveyed rural Kansas grocers and found that nearly 1 in 4 planned to retire within five years,” Misenhelter said. “Of those, the vast majority – 73% – did not have a plan for how store ownership would transition after their retirement.”
Beginning last year, the Rural Grocery Initiative hosted an online course to train those already working in rural communities with a baseline knowledge around what it takes to successfully transition a rural grocery store.
In 2024, 19 students in 11 states – Kansas included – completed the course, according to Misenhelter.
“Supporting grocery store owners through times of transition is critical to ensuring that rural communities retain access to their local grocery stores,” Misenhelter said.
Between 2008 and 2018, 1 in 5 Kansas grocery stores closed, a trend that Misenhelter said is also seen across the United States.
“Rural grocery stores are critical infrastructure in rural communities,” Misenhelter said. “Locally owned grocery stores contribute to their community’s health, economy and society. Keeping these stores open is critical.”
The online course is designed for extension professionals, community economic developers and others who provide resources and support to rural grocery stores across the country. Misenhelter said classes address such topics as building relationships with grocery store owners and managers; transition planning; business valuation; and other tools to support rural grocery stores.
“The assignments in the course are intentionally designed to have real-world applications,” she said.
More information, including how to sign up for a future course, is available online from the Rural Grocery Initiative.