Nearly three years ago I wrote a tribute to Kammeyer’s IGA, lamenting the closing of a beloved business. It was a tough time for the owners, long-time employees, former employees, and town residents. Fortunately, the store reopened shortly after under a new name and new ownership. So for a short while, Antwerp continued to enjoy a dying market—the hometown grocery store.
However, on January 26, 2016, a 60+ year town landmark burned a ferocious death. While the idea of walking away from an empty building that resembled so much to many people seemed unbearable, the violent ending on this day was perhaps far more brutal. Walking away quietly would hurt, but physically seeing a building full of memories deteriorate right before our eyes was just heartbreaking.
Long known as Kammeyer’s IGA and most recently as River Street Market, Antwerp’s grocery store was a close-knit community of its own. It can never compare to the superstores that have now become the staple for grocery shopping. Those stores do not have the heart, the history, the personal touch, or the comfort that a small hometown store can offer.
For many Antwerp residents, the grocery store represented more than just a building. It was one of the most thriving and dominating Antwerp businesses at one time. It was often the first job listed on resumes for many high school students. It was a revolving door of familiar faces. It was a goldmine of memories.
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If it had been a mere building, so many tears would not have been shed on this tragic evening. So many people would not have been affected. This building housed many precious moments. Personally, this building was where I began to build character, a backbone, and affection for a small town. It was the first place outside of a family environment where an adult entrusted me with tremendous responsibility and believed in my potential. This is where I bonded with my mother during her work breaks. It was where my grandparents ventured on a weekend just to see their oldest granddaughter. But most importantly, this is where I gained a second family and friends that remain very dear to me decades after I left my employment there.
While the building may be gone, the memories will last a lifetime. The grocery store touched so many lives, which is something no fire can ever take away. Antwerp may feel a little emptier now, but many of us will be forever grateful for the opportunities, special moments, and friends made there.
