Dexter Foods grocery store serves a definite purpose -- keeping the wheels turning in the small town of Dexter.

There has been a grocery store on Main Street in Dexter for as long as people can remember. Tammy Mees has been the owner of Dexter Foods for the past five years. Mees grew up in Austin and moved to Dexter 23 years ago when she married Del Mees.

They have three children, Danae, Brent and Corey. Mees worked part time at the grocery store for a while and then quit and worked at the hospital in Austin for five years. Eventually she went back to work at the Dexter Foods. The owner of the grocery store at that time was Dan Wangen. He now owns and operates the grocery store in Adams.

"Dan decided to sell the business when I was working with him and I said I wanted to buy it. I was apprehensive at first taking over the store, but Dan gave me so much support and answered all my questions. Brenda Lander from Rose Creek, who owns Brenda’s Market, also gave me a lot of support. She has owned Brenda’s Market for 11 years. I had a lot of questions and they helped me," said Mees.

Dexter Foods used to be called Dexter Superette. The town of Dexter is accustomed to having a woman own and manage the town grocery store.

Arris Baker, of Dexter, operated the Dexter Superette for 25 years before Wangen bought it. Mees has two employees that help her out in the store. They are Wanda Boley and Lindy Mathews. The two worked at Dexter Foods when Wangen owned the store.

"They are good help and live right here in town. They just stayed on when I bought the business," said Mees.

Dexter Foods business is busiest in the mornings and evenings. They are open for only two hours on Sunday mornings from 10 to 12 and Mees said, "It is nonstop with people purchasing basics and goods for Sunday. The grocery store in Dexter has been open for two hours every Sunday for ages."

Mees sells the necessities that folks need to run a household and keeps people from Dexter and the surrounding rural area from driving the 15 miles to Austin. Dexter Foods offers the service of renting movies and a small sign says adult movies can be rented but the renter must ask specifically for them.

"Most people do their big grocery shopping in the larger towns, like Austin or Rochester. We sell the necessities and odds and ends and snacks that people might run out of. I have a freezer stocked with meat from Geneva Meat Lockers so I am not limited in what we offer," said Mees.

The favorite part of owning a grocery store in a small town, Mees said, is all the people stopping into visit. The worst part of owning a small town grocery store is sometimes a person will visit too long.

"I really like people. I am just a couple blocks from my home and I have been around for my children. If I have to take one of them to the doctor I can do that," said Mees.

Mees busiest day of the week is Wednesday, when the supply truck comes in. She restocks her shelves that day and works for three hours unloading boxes and filling shelves. Her 15-year-old son, Cory, helps her out with the unloading.

"Wednesdays are the worst day of the week for me with all the work," said Mees.

Running a grocery store in a small town like Dexter is low key. Mees eats her lunch at her desk and she has a microwave to heat up food. She has a bulletin board under the checkout counter top where locals post their rummage sales, special events or services they may offer.

"The people in town really support my business. I wouldn’t be here without them. That is one thing nice about living and having a business in a small town, the support of everyone. I know just about everyone that comes in the door and if I don’t know them, I find out who they are," laughed Mees.

Running a grocery store in a small town doesn’t make Mees rich financially, but her life is rich with people stopping into visit her. She fulfills a need in the town. She is active in the Dexter Sunflower Daze and closes the store on the afternoon of the celebration.

"We all support one another in Dexter," said Mees.

The hours of operation for Dexter Foods are Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Call Sheila Donnelly at 434-2233 or e-mail her at :mailto:newsroom@austindailyherald.com.