By Lori Ehde
The new owners of Jubilee Foods in Luverne represent a healthy mix of solid experience and youthful energy.
In a deal that became official Monday, Brent Bosch and Larry Goebel purchased the store from Tony Bosch.
For Goebel, the arrangement brings him back to the grocery business in Luverne, where he's worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.
"I'm looking forward to working with Brent and investing in the future of Luverne," Goebel said Monday.
He was 6 years old when he started working for his father, Kenny Goebel, at Kenny's Super Valu.
Since closing the family business in 1997, Goebel has been manager and part owner of the Jubilee Foods in Rock Rapids. He will retain those responsibilities, but he still lives in Luverne and will take on new duties with Bosch in the Luverne store.
For Bosch, he said buying the Luverne store from his father has always been his dream.
"I've always loved the grocery business," he said. "Being able to do this in Luverne, Minn., with all the people of Luverne is a dream come true."
Bosch graduated from Luverne High School in 1996 and in 1999 earned his bachelor's degree from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. He majored in business administration with an emphasis in management and finance, and he minored in accounting and sociology.
He's been managing Jubilee in Luverne since the store opened in its new location in August 2000.
"Between my dad and Larry, they've been coaching me a lot the last year and a half," Bosch said. "I've gone through a lot of growing pains, and I realize I have a long road ahead of me."
While it's been hard work, he said he's enjoying the challenge. "It's been fun waking up and working with nearly 70 other employees every day," he said. "I'm grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with our employees and with the community for many years to come."
Being able to work with Goebel is helping Bosch through some of the growing pains of business ownership.
"I'm very excited to work with Larry. He's been like a second dad to me this year," Bosch said. "He's got a lot of experience in this business, and we work very well together."
For Tony Bosch, selling his Luverne store will free him up to focus on a booming catering business and to spend more time with family.
"It's always been my goal to have my son buy me out in Luverne," he said Tuesday. "I'm a grandpa now and I just felt the timing was good. It gets to the point where you have to slow down a little."
He said the timing was also right for Goebel. "He's done very well for himself in Rock Rapids, and now he has the time to spend in Luverne."
Tony Bosch opened his first grocery store, Tony's Clover Farm, in Hills in 1976 and in 1985, he purchased Les Murphy's Foodland in Luverne. Since then he built the Brandon store and has entered into partnerships with 11 other grocery stores in the tri-state area.
Brent Bosch and Goebel said the arrangement is an exciting venture for them, but they said continued success of the store hinges on more than good management.
"All of us at Jubilee Foods are ready for the long haul," Bosch said. "Larry and I and the staff take a lot of pride in what we do, and that is why we want our customers to expect the very best from us."