CHAPPELL -- About three years ago Kristy Nerud purchased the grocery store in Chappell.

She bought it as a hands-on investment. It became more than that.

"I bought it for an investment. The guy that sold it to me had a pretty good profit-loss. He was taking a lot of money out for himself. I thought 'well, I could do that.' I got money in the stocks, but I don't really trust the Stock Market; if I can't touch it, feel it ... I'm old school," Nerud said.

She said the plan wasn't as easy as anticipated, made some staff changes including hiring Christy Spears who became her store manager.

"She's bringing it back to life, to a life it's never even had before," Nerud said.

She said Spears is responsible for the improvements to the store, from the front door to the back door. She said the very personality of the store to pricing and product availability comes back to Spears.

"Christy came on board and she's awesome. She's the one that's made it look like it does right now, and all the good things going on right now. We need to keep this. It's one of the anchor stores in Chappell, and it's important," Nerud said.

They are working with their supplier to have competitive pricing, and offer shelf to door services. The store can have food delivered to a customer's home via Kimball County Transport Service (KCTS). The customer will need to contact KCTS and set up and account. The store can be paid over the phone; store staff fills the order.

Spears commends the staff for the success of the store, and commitment during the challenges. Among the improvements, she said the produce section has a new look.

"The produce section has changed phenomenally. We have Donna. She's our produce manager now, and she's really been working on it," Spears said.

She has employees who have been part of the store for more than 10 years, employees who have taught her how to have a quality, customer-friendly small town grocery store. The spirit of the store is of being part of the community, including offering an opportunity for residents to help each other. 

"I don't know what the store would look like, or how it would really make it. All of them go above and beyond, and really just keep this store going, so [I] just appreciate them so much, and they've taught me so much," Spears said.

The Chappell Super Foods has started a "round-up" program where customers can round up their purchases from a few pennies on up in support of the community's food bank. By the end of January, customer round-up contributions came in at just short of $300.

Chappell Super Foods is located on Highway 30 in Chappell.