Owner Gives Store to Employees

Teresa Neumann : Dec 3, 2012
John Hageman – The Bemidji Pioneer

It's a real life "Wonderful Life" story, just in time for Christmas.

(Bemidji, MN)—Various news sources across the country are reporting that 70-year-old Joe Lueken has decided to hand over his business, Lueken's Village Foods, to his employees. (Photo: Monte Draper/Bemidji Pioneer)

Lueken, whose father was a baker, has been in the grocery business since 1966, when he was a manager at Bemidji's first Lueken store, owned by his brother.

A pillar in his community, Lueken is known for his generosity and involvement in a variety of civic activities. He reportedly made the decision after his sons showed no interest in taking over. Several large supermarket chains offered to buy the store also, but the idea didn't set well with Joe.

Lueken's four sons—who were unable to take the store—all live out of state, so the soon-to-be retiree says he plans on traveling and being with family after his business changes hands.