Young grocer eyes Albert City market

Nick Graham, 20, owner of Pomeroy Area Market, organizes the shelves Friday morning. Graham and the City of Albert City are looking into the possibility of opening a new store in AC. [Click to enlarge]

Twenty-year old Nick Graham may be just what the City of Albert City needs. An enthusiastic young man who purchased a struggling grocery store that was going out of business when he was only 17, Graham says he knew how important the store was to a small community and its future.

Graham recently began discussions with City officials about possibly forming a partnership to bring in a new grocery into town. AC's City Market closed after being destroyed by a fire in July 2008. "I'm very enthusiastic that we'll be able to put together a mutually beneficial project," says Graham. "I think the conversations we've had so far have been very positive." A townhall meeting will be held Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Ag Partners Conference Room to gauge interest; the public is invited.

Graham who has been termed 'the youngest grocer in America,' was only a high schooler when he purchased a store in Truman, MN. and says he didn't know much about the grocery business when he purchased the store and - he really had never done much grocery shopping either.

The store, located in a town of 1,200, was closing and many residents - especially those who were older and retired, really depended on the store, if the store didn't reopen it would mean driving distance to the nearest store. "When it closed I got a good price on it. If you find a need, fill it," he says. "It was a great experience. I learned a lot, met new friends. I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Like Truman, City Market was a store many residents depended on in Albert City. However, Owner Stan Peterson said he couldn't see himself rebuilding because he didn't have insurance to cover it.

Graham invested $10,000 of his life earnings from farm and construction jobs and got help fixing up the store from some local volunteers. As a teen he wasn't old enough to legally buy property so he leased the building until he turned 18.

He soon got national recognition and was interviewed by entities like People Magazine, NBC Evening News, American Profile Magazine and Ellen Degeneres.

Read more of this story in the February 6 Pilot Tribune.