By Christopher Johnson
In the wake of natural disasters, strange weather patterns and a new president, many American small-towners are wondering what’s next for their pocketbook and the economy in 2025. Clare is no different, as its shoppers are looking for opportunities in which they can trust their budget. With a new ALDI having opened its doors and a Tractor Supply recently unveiled, the city remains ever-evolving, supplying the people with more alternatives for their everyday needs.The good news is, there is at least one place that won’t be easily bullied by the threat of inflation. With the Super Bowl in hindsight, shoppers can rest assured that their favorite snacks and essentials will remain realistically affordable as long as it can be helped.
Enter Witbeck’s Family Foods, a local establishment that has been serving the community of Clare and recently celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Owner, Jerry Witbeck reflects fondly on the passage of time since his father sowed the seed that has grown into a valued presence in the Clare community. A man of the everyday consumer, Jerry is a fervent believer in the ideology that customer relations are paramount.
If you want an idea of just how resilient this retailer has proven itself, look no further than the pandemic of 2020. Like countless businesses, the covid crisis hit Witbeck’s interests hard and they too knew the harsh reality of crazed supply and demand. Bread and eggs were picked clean and toilet paper was disappearing faster than it could be shelved. For a hot minute, it looked bleak for Witbecks, as similar stores all over closed while some are still recovering.
Fast forward to the present day and you’d never know the wiser. Business has returned to full health and Witbecks is ready for new challenges.
With modern technology at their fingertips, this mom-and-pop grocer is streamlining the shopping experience. Inside, self-service kiosks speed up the checkout, while outside, smart car pumps offer a convenient charging station for electric vehicles.
By embracing Innovation, this community staple is staying ahead of the curve. They’re not just keeping up with the times, they’re setting the pace, offering customers a personable shopping experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
One such place is ALDI, Clare’s latest arrival, and a formidable contender with its lower prices and unique merchandising. Boasting an immaculate store aesthetic and cutting-edge attitude, it offers the community a fresh atmosphere to sample new, niche products. A plausible draw, considering most families are leaving the house on much tighter budgets, which is where they can make a fast friend with the German store chain.
“They make a good neighbor”, says Witbecks owner, Joe Bentley. “Of all the ones who could have come in, I don’t feel they hurt us that much.”
For many years, there had been speculation about various construction projects at Clare’s industrious North end along Colonville Rd. Rumors of a Wal-Mart supercenter and Amazon warehouse were of plausible concern, as both would undoubtedly have changed the city of Clare considerably for different reasons. Jerry Witbeck reflects that an Amazon shipping center could have “opened up more jobs for the community”, whereas a Wal-Mart could have “tormented it” with product poaching and superior surplus. In the case of ALDI, this risk is minimal as they offer a more curated selection of foods.
However, one thing you won’t find in the new supermarket is a familiar and personable staff as devoted to customer satisfaction as that of Witbecks.
“There’s sacrifices you have to make”, Joe explains. “You don’t have meat cutters. You don’t have produce managers down there. You don’t have employees on the floor to help you out. Because they have to run efficiently to be able to have that low price.”
Which is where Witbecks picks up the slack with all of the above.
Where ALDI offers a bagless, much quieter experience, Witbecks remains a bustling mecca of humans helping humans in all matters of transactions. Usually on a first name basis. According to management, foot traffic has remained unchanged since the arrival of new neighbors. What has changed though are the spending habits within the store. Since the customer is still coming back, the team is focused on problem solving directly with demands such as frugality and accessibility.
“We’re rooted into the community”, Joe affirms. “You have to ask yourself, all these folks-these box stores that come in; ALDI, Tractor Supply, WalMart. If their numbers were down for a few years, would they stick?”
A valid question on the permanence of corporate retail.
If the numbers don’t perform, the location’s fate always risks extinction. Whereas Witbecks will still thrive as it always has, and most certainly cash in on any collapse in competition along the way. Because at the end of the day, it’s always about being there for the community during the highs and lows of economics, which Witbecks always has been.
“And we will continue to support the community,” assures Lesa Bentley. “In the ways that Dad and Grandpa have always. From the Summerfest, the picnic in the park, the hot dogs and chips, the kids day at the fair, the tent outside.”
These are but a handful of ways Witbecks takes their customer service a step further.
Currently the store is offering a loyalty program that utilizes clippings for a chance to win various bakeware, which customers are very actively engaging as we move toward this year’s popular Saint Patrick’s Day Festival.
It will take more than a few corporate seedlings to rob this grocer of its hard-earned favor with the city of Clare. For now, it remains a heavyweight anchor with a long, intimate history that still demands enormous respect.
“Competition is good”, challenges Jerry. “It makes you a better retailer”.
