It left the community sad, angry and frustrated.

Amanda Dahl, who was the store manager said, “It’s heartbreaking.”

She spoke for many residents and longtime employees.

“People in Manson want a grocery store here,” resident Tony Steinberg said. “We’ve got to have a grocery store.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The Manson Main Street Project was completed in the summer of 2019.

Fast forward a few months and the residents of Manson are banding together to try to make that a reality.

A meeting in late January nearly filled the 280-seat auditorium at Manson Northwest Webster High School. That’s a big turnout in a community of about 1,700 people.

Members of the community have many hurdles to overcome. They need to raise about $200,000 just to buy the store and stock it.

At the meeting, Manson Mayor Dave Anderson announced an agreement with the building’s owners, Bob and Jan Dugger, and the Manson Economic Development Corporation that would let MEDC purchase the building. The deal would also give them a year rent-free to get off the ground.

The grocery store venture is being explored as a nonprofit.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Chef Dave Johnston stops to chat with some of the people enjoying their daily meal at the Manson Congregate Meals program. The diners are, from left, Louella Moritz, Aubrey King, Liz Grey, Leane Bodle, Johnston and Kenneth Grey.

Anderson is proud of his community and said the effort to raise the needed funds is going well.

“I was proud of Manson before the store closed,” he said. “I’m proud of Manson now. When things get tough, the town of Manson steps up. That’s one of the great things here.”

While the grocery store building might currently be empty, there are plenty of signs that Manson is still a very viable business community.

Luke and Lori Thoma, co-owners of Thoma Construction, moved their business into a storefront at 930 Main St., in May.

“We had outgrown our home office and the opportunity arose to buy the building,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Luke and Lori Thoma relocated their construction business to a new storefront along Main Street in Manson. They also sell a variety of flooring, mattresses and home decor.

It not only allowed them to keep their home a home and their business a business, but it also gave them an opportunity to grow.

“We expanded our business into home decor, flooring and mattresses,” she said. “Being downtown, it helps both in the family and work side of the family.”

While a storefront downtown has been successful for the Thoma Construction business, downtown might not be ideal for everyone.

“It’s depends on the business,” she said.

Several other signs of growth are in evidence in Manson.

Thelma McGough, with Manson Economic Development, said that in addition to the Main Street Project being completed, several new businesses opened their doors.

They include Cups n Cones, an ice cream shop owned by Deb Huntsinger that’s open during the warmer months; and State of the Art owned by Ashley Sturgis, who crafts signs and other decor. Both are in the 900 block of Main Street.

The Manson Northwest Webster School administration has also relocated to the downtown area. They’re in the former Federal Bank Building at 1030 Main St.

That set of offices has also recently gone to the dogs, literally.

Lady, a goldendoodle who will be the new therapy dog for the school district, has been spending a lot of time there with her human, Business Manager Allison Davis.

As Lady completes more of her training and gets used to the different buildings, she’ll be spending much of her days in the district’s school’s.

“She can help with anxiety or if somebody is having a bad day … or a good day,” Davis said. “She’s very sweet, very caring. She loves people. She always likes to have her paw on you or her head resting on you.”

The project was coordinated by Manson Police Chief Jerry Frick.

As cute as she is, she’s still working though.

“If you see Lady,” Davis said. “Feel free to ask if you can pet her. Just ask first.”

At the Manson Area Community Center, Chef Dave Johnston is doing much more than making meals for the participants in the Congregate Meals program.

He’s also working to raise awareness of the program by speaking at local churches and civic groups. He hopes to expand the program to include seasonal events.

For Johnston, it’s about much more than food.

“Fellowship and food go together,” Johnston said. “It’s beyond cooking here.”