The Kentland Rotary Club met together for the weekly noon luncheon on Jan. 14 at the R. Steven Ryan Community Center.Colleen Clifton, Murphy’s Food King general manager, gave a presentation on the business at the corner of Third and Dunlap streets. She mentioned that her family started the business more than 80 years ago on Graham Street. She also mentioned the grocery store was the first in town to offer fresh produce and the first in town to provide the opportunity for customers to help themselves to grocery selections.Colleen shared how world events such as COVID 19 and more recent high gas prices, affects increases in the local volume of groceries sold. Regarding the lingering effects of COVID 19, she said, “Sale ads have finally begun to reflect pre-pandemic prices so watch for those advertisements in the local paper.” She added however that the supply houses are not serving all grocery needs yet. She speculated they are at 90% capacity.In closing Colleen mentioned business partners, the Davis and Cassidy families. Their involvement, working in an industry with such a narrow profit margin, will help to keep a grocery store in Kentland.It was announced that the next Rotary Pancake Breakfast will be on Saturday, March 29 at the Kentland Trinity United Methodist Church.
