Iconic grocery store changes hands after 100 years

Some businesses become more than just a store. They become local institutions for generations of people.

The families that own and operate those businesses become more than owners and operators, they become key players in the community’s growth and development.

They also become life-long friends and neighbors.

That is the case with the Castle family in Superior, whose ownership of Castles Market comes to an end this week with the retirement of Ken and Cathy Kuhl.

For nearly 40 years, they have been the latest generation to run Superior’s premier grocery store.

Cathy’s grandfather, William Castle, started the business in 1916 and it has remained in family hands until Tuesday, when she and her husband Ken worked their last shifts before officially retiring and handing the business over to new ownership.

“This has been a great business to be in,” said Ken. “It’s been very demanding and has involved a lot of hours, but over the years we’ve met a lot of people and made good friends with a lot of customers.”

The Kuhls took over the business in 1980 when it was operating in the current building in Superior. Both had worked in the business for several years before assuming the reigns. The market’s original building was demolished several years ago.

“I started working here in 1975,” Ken said. “I worked here in while I was in high school and while attending college.”

For Cathy, her ties to the business have been life-long.

“I lived in an apartment above the old store,” she said. “If I wanted spending money as a kid, I worked for it helping out in the store.”

Over the years they have seen and experienced many changes, not just to the business but also the town of Superior. Both recall the major changes to the town when the local lumber mill closed near the end of the last century.

“The economy of the town itself has changed a lot over the years,” Ken said. “The mill was the big employer for the town. When it shut down it dramatically changed many things, a lot of people had to leave town to find work.”

Gone were many of the mill-related jobs and the logging industry that supported them. Despite the changes, the Castles adapted, persevered and remained a centerpiece as Superior changed to a more tourist-oriented economy.

The current location also includes an Ace Hardware store in the basement, making it even more of a go-to place for Superior area shoppers.

The Kuhl’s say retirement, while it will bring big changes to their lives, will not diminish their love of living in Superior.

“Superior is a good place to raise a family,” said Cathy, who said she and Ken plan to stay involved in community activities. “We’ve made so many friends over the years. We’ve been very fortunate to be part of this for as long as we have.”

The couple said they plan to spend more time with their grandchildren and traveling to visit their own five children, all of whom grew up with and helped out with the business.

And they will retire with a life’s worth of fond memories of the family operated business.

“We’ve tried to take good care of our customers,” Ken said. “That’s what it takes to make a small town business successful. And more than just taking care of their grocery needs, we have gotten to know them as friends and neighbors. For many people, this kind of business in a small town becomes a gathering place and a focal point. That’s been a great part of doing this.”

Cathy agreed with that assessment.

“I guess if there was one thing we could say to sum it up, it would be ‘Thank you’ to the people we’ve gotten to know here, many of whom we’ve gotten to know through this business.”

The Kuhl’s will celebrate with friends, neighbors and customers this Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Superior.