Contributed Photo Cedar Street Market owner Judi Hegewald, center, receives $7,500 in Shawano Country Vision 2017 Facade and Interior Improvement grants from, left, Nancy Smith, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce executive director, and Dennis Heling, Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. chief economic development officer.
Tigerton will soon have a new grocery store thanks to a lot of hard work by a local entrepreneur and financial assistance from local organizations.
Judi Hegewald, owner of Cedar Street Market and Discount Foods LLC in Tigerton, recently received a $50,000 Shawano County revolving loan fund loan and a $10,000 revolving micro-loan from Shawano County Economic Progress Inc.
Hegewald purchased the property at 234 Cedar St. in Tigerton and is remodeling the building to turn it in to an updated, appealing grocery store. She ultimately plans to hire 12 employees. No date has been set for the opening.
Hegewald also received $7,500 in matching grants for facade and interior renovation through Shawano Country Vision 2017.
Cedar Street Market will be a regular small-town grocery store with fresh meats, bakery, produce and dairy, along with a stable line of necessities. Closeouts and surplus products from the grocery industry will fill most of the store’s shelves.
Closeouts become available because of overproduction, packaging changes, seasonal items, warehouse damage or short date codes. Closeout grocery items may be national or private label brands and are discounted well below regular retail prices. The inventories will continually change because of the changing availability of products.
“Our main product line will be an ever-changing, diverse mix of perishable and nonperishable groceries,” Hegewald said. “Through establishing trade relationships with suppliers and producers in the local and surrounding areas, we expect to have a stable source of a great variety of products, including dairy, bakery, snacks, frozen foods, and other necessities.”
Future plans include featuring local products as well as possibly adding bulk products, an in-store deli and fresh bakery.
Hegewald’s dream has been to open her own grocery store.
“I’ve worked with area food pantries for over 25 years now,” she said. “In my role as the president of Shawano Community Bread Basket, I have realized the importance of affordable, quality food. In feeding my own family of seven children, my husband and myself, I have discovered what a great help discount food stores are.”
Hegewald has ties to Tigerton through her husband’s family. She knew the community was without a grocery store and was aware of the hardship it was for families, the elderly and disabled to get groceries.
“When the store came up for sale, we looked at it, started praying and started planning,” she said. “We did that for two years before buying it because we realized what a huge project it would be and what a large investment of our money and our time.”
Hegewald has been working on the project for many months. Her husband and children also are involved.
According to Hegewald, funding from the Shawano County revolving loan fund and the SCEPI revolving micro-loan fund were important parts of financing the project.
“In development projects, clients will generally seek traditional commercial loans or use their own funds for their projects,” said Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. “However, RLF and RMLF loans are often used in conjunction because of the lower interest rates and the savings the loans provide.”
Grant funds from Shawano County Vision 2017 helped with the cost of replacing windows, completing exterior improvements and updating the lighting in the store.
“This project is accomplishing what we like to see with Vision 2017 grant recipients. They are investing in the business district by renovating a vacant building and creating jobs,” said Nancy Smith, executive director of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce. “The Hegewalds are to be commended for working so hard to make this business a success.”
RLF and RMLF loan applications may be submitted by any person or business wishing to start a new business or business expansion project in Shawano County. Funds can be used for the acquisition of land, buildings, fixed equipment, construction, renovations, working capital and inventory. To be eligible for a RLF or RMLF loan, certain requirements must be met.
To inquire about the requirements or to discuss a business project, contact Heling at 715-526-5839 or scepi@frontiernet.net.
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan designed to address various needs of area businesses and communities. One of the key goals is to bring at least 1,000 new jobs to the area by 2017.
The plan’s overall goal is to spur capital investment and grow the economy by implementing specific action steps in key areas, including business expansion, attraction and recruitment, tourism/retail development and community development.
The plan was initiated three years ago by the board of directors of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. and the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce to proactively tackle economic challenges including several plant closures, job losses and lower than average per capita income. It is intended to provide a blueprint for future growth and prosperity and a stronger economic climate for Shawano and Menominee counties.
