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"It's not my job, it's my civic duty."
-Kay Lauer, owner and operator of Strong City Grocery
Featured Customer: Strong City Grocery
Strong City Grocery, Strong City, Kansas
Strong City, Kansas, a small frontier town of about 650 people is located in Chase County in the heart of beautiful Flinthills along the Scenic Byway, Highway 177. Strong City sits between the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and Cottonwood Falls. It is also famous for the P.R.C.A. Rodeo that attracts over 20,000 visitors every summer.
The Strong City Grocery Store has been there since the turn of the century. Not that long ago the town was in jeopardy of losing this business.
Kay Lauer has been the owner-operator since November 1987. She keeps the door open for the employees and the community. "It's not my job, it's my civic duty", she says. The whole community and county help support this business.
This little six aisle grocery store has anything you might need including a free daily delivery service. Every day at 1:00 p.m. the employees load the van with the orders that have been called in from the elderly or shut in. If you haven't called in by 1 o'clock, they'll call you.
Kay Lauer and Scott Adams
The only man employee in the store is Scott Adams, the butcher. Scott started working for the grocery store about a year ago. With 42 years experience, he started in the meat industry as a young man right out of high school in his home town, Lyons, Kansas. He has worked for Dillion's stores, Associated Grocers Stores in Denver, Colorado and Reebles' stores in Emporia. He enjoys being back in a hometown atmosphere and really doesn't mind taking orders from a dozen women. When you walk up to his meat case, it's like stepping back in time to the Old Fashioned Meat Shop. You will see fresh inch and half cut Choice Steaks (the Cowboys like them big). You will also see fresh ground hamburger, pork, and even hand made Sausages, including Italian, German, Hot Links and Strong City Brats. The women have even taught him how to make Party Trays with of course, "Party Time Meats". Party Time Ham being their favorite!
Kay doesn't depend on the business for her only income. She also owns a 5,400 acre ranch that has been passed down through her family. Her oldest of three sons runs the ranch with help from a partner and mom overseeing. Her second son is a junior at KU, and her youngest son is a junior in High School.
Kay is also the President of the School Board and shares responsibility with her sister taking care of the 90 year young father. I asked her what she did in her spare time??
Please visit the Strong City Grocery Store. The people are as friendly as family and the hospitality is free!