Stein's still in business five generations later

KELLOGG - When Edward Stein opened his first market in Kellogg in 1929, he might not have thought that five generations later his family would still be in the grocery business, with five stores in Idaho and Montana.

Anthony Branz, 16, started working at Stein's Market in Osburn four or five months ago, he said. Branz is Stein's great-great-grandson.

Stein's four sons, Al, Gus, Huburt and Chuck, worked in the Kellogg store growing up, said Stein Bros. Inc. President Larry Stein, Edward's grandson. The Stein brothers took over the business in 1950 and had the opportunity to buy the Osburn store in 1958.

Larry said that until 1977 those were the only two Stein's Markets in existence, but then the company started to expand, opening a store in Rathdrum, and later moving into Troy, Mont. They added the Eureka, Mont., location just a few years ago.

The second generation of Steins are all retired now, Larry said. Gus lives in Kellogg, Al in Rathdrum and Chuck and Huburt live in Osburn.

Gus had three children, two boys and a girl, who all worked in the Kellogg store. Al had five children, Sheilagh, Heather, Deasa, Dino and Darren, who all worked at the store in Osburn. Most of the children in the third generation worked part time throughout high school.

Branz's grandmother, stayed in the family business for 13 years. Branz's mother, Jennifer Branz, also worked at the store.

Branz will be starting his junior year in high school in the fall, and his position as a helper clerk at Stein's is his first job.

"It was an easy job to get," he said. "I didn't have to look too hard."

Branz said after he graduates from high school he wants to go to college and study chemical engineering.

"I always take pride in the fact that we're a three generation company as far as ownership goes," said Larry, adding that he is excited to see new generations continuing to work in the store.

"I guess this is what happens when a family owned business hangs around for 81 years," he said.