Like any small business owner will tell you, it’s all about wearing multiple hats. But in Aaron Bakke’s case, it might actually be multiple aprons.
“I’m running the entire store. I’m the head meat cutter, I do inventory, I answer phone calls, I’m the sole maintenance man and janitor,” says Bakke. “I’m doing all of it.”
Bakke opened his shop — Aaron’s Grocery — at the beginning of 2021. He worked under the previous owners for 20 years before taking over. Located more than twenty miles from Crookston, the town of Fertile, MN (pop. 804) is where the store calls home. The shop serves as a wide-reaching community staple for out-of-towners, passers-by, and locals, alike.
“I have two big lakes within 12 miles, so I’m busy in the summer with my ‘lake people’ and I also have my regulars who don’t leave town,” says Bakke, “My customers want convenience. If I’m doing a good job and my product is good, they have no reason to go elsewhere.”
In addition to other groceries, Aaron’s sells an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, like apples, oranges, carrots, broccoli, peppers, and much more. In fact, his store is known as one of the few places in the area where people can purchase fresh produce, meats, and cheeses. Without it, the area would be at risk of becoming a less-than-fertile food desert.
