Stein's closing in Rathdrum
Courtesy photo Stein's Family Foods on Highway 41 in Rathdrum will close on May 25, leaving just one grocery store in the city.
RATHDRUM — The number of grocery stores in Rathdrum will be cut in half on May 25.
Stein's Family Foods, 16102 N. Highway 41, will close on that day, leaving Super 1 Foods the lone store in the city.
"Broke my heart," Stephanie Moe said in an online comment of the upcoming closure.
The store has been serving Rathdrum since 1977. It will be having a going-out-of-business sale until it closes.
Multiple customers said they will miss buying meat in bulk from the store.
A company employee, who declined to be identified, said about 20 people work at the store and that other Stein's Market stores in Kellogg, Osburn, Troy, Mont., and Eureka, Mont., will not be closing.
Messages left with company owners on Wednesday and Thursday were not returned.
The Watson Grocery Group purchased the Stein's markets in 2015 from the Stein family.
Stein's markets began 89 years ago in the Silver Valley when Ed Stein started the business in Kellogg in 1929. His sons, Gus, Al, Chuck and Hip (Hubert), took over in 1950. The third generation of Larry, Jim, Mark and Delisa Stein took over in the 1990s.
The second store opened in Osburn in 1960, followed by Rathdrum.
The Watson Grocery Group, which includes owners Dale and Teresa Watson and sons Corey and Brett, also owns stores in Orofino and Chattaroy, Wash.
Rathdrum city officials said it's unfortunate that the business will close. They’re hopeful a different business can soon occupy the space.
"There's not many empty businesses in the whole county," said Mayor Vic Holmes, who also serves with the county’s economic development agency.
Holmes said large buildings are in high demand.
Alice Lobdell wrote online that Stein's is the latest store she hates to see leave.
"So sad," she wrote. "All my favorite stores are going away — Ben Franklin, Rathdrum Drug and now Stein's."