Maline’s Superfoods in Sutherland will be closing permanently on Aug. 14 due to rising costs, minimum wage increases and corporate competition.

The grocery store has been one of the few, if not the only, full-service grocery store between North Platte and Ogallala at its present location for more than 35 years.

The impact of the closure on a village such as Sutherland is “just below” the impact of losing a school, Sutherland businessman Tory Copeland estimated.

The owners, Scott and Kelli Carlson, thanked “everyone who has walked through our doors over the years.”

“Your support, kindness, and friendships have meant more to us than words can express. Many of you have become like family, and serving the village of Sutherland has truly been an honor,” they said.

The current store began in 1979, when Dean and Kathy Kealy, second-generation Sutherland grocers, bought five acres of land at the west edge of Sutherland and proceeded to build a new store there.

The Kealys moved their grocery business from downtown and opened the new store on March 25, 1980. It consists of 8,000 square feet and was first named Kealy’s Super Foods. In 1989, a new full line hot and cold deli was added to the store, according to a history published in the Sutherland Centennial book, 1891-1991.

In May 1990, the Kealys sold the store to Bob and Sherry Maline, who operated it for 33 years. The Malines sold it to the Carlsons in 2023, who continued to operate it as Maline’s Super Foods.

Rising costs and relentless competition has pushed the company to a point where it simply cannot continue, “like so many small businesses across America,” the owners said.

As the store liquidates inventory, customers will receive 15% off their entire purchase, except for alcohol, tobacco, and fresh meat. “Everything must go,” the announcement said.

The store’s fresh meat case is stocked up with hamburger and steaks, the company said Saturday. The deli will remain open until the end of the business day, Aug. 7. Business hour are from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

“We will continue cutting fresh meat daily through Aug. 9, but we are no longer able to accept large custom meat orders,” the announcement said. “While this chapter is coming to an end, we are incredibly grateful for the memories we’ve made together. We wish nothing but the very best for the village of Sutherland and everyone who has supported us along the way.”

“Thank you for allowing us to be your hometown grocery store,” the Carlsons said. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

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