BARNESVILLE, Minn. -- You can often tell the "health" of a small town's main street by counting the "must haves."
School, church, gas station, post office ... and a grocery store to feed a small town.
In Barnesville, they're celebrating after the town's lone grocery store kept its doors open after the former owners retired, and an entire family came to the rescue, along with 28-employees.
And you won't find any big corporate name attached to the just-sold Barnesville Grocery. This store is the work of one family; the entire family. Thomas and Kayla Gonser, their three teenage sons and daughter all work at the store.
"It's just fun to have the kids learn alongside him. Skills from stocking and customer service, it has been such a blessing to be in the community and meeting all the people, just doing it all together," Kayla Gonser said.
Thomas is no stranger to this business -- he spent years at Hornbacher's, starting as a bagger and cashier and now he has his own store.
"It is very much a dream. I thought about it for a long time and never thought it could happen and this opportunity came up, and so it worked out," Thomas said.
For years, Barnesville had several grocery stores, like a lot of small towns. But recently, only one remained. And the family wanted to retire.
And for the city of Barnesville, it almost is an answer to prayer. At a time when so many small towns are losing grocery stores, this family came in and saved the day.
"Barnesville has really been growing as a community, and calling Barnesville home, and this service of fresh produce and great groceries at good prices is not something all towns have," Karen Lauer, Barnesville Economic Development executive director, said.
The store boasts a big, affordable produce and meat section. And when the store workers are family, you can bet things get done. On this day, sons Daniel shelved the butter and Andrew whipped up frosting and Matthew got the dairy section into shape, while Grace checked out customers. Not to mention, they all take turns carrying out groceries for customers.
"We count it as a privilege to do this and an opportunity to be part of the community and keep the grocery store in town," Thomas said.
The family even moved from Fargo-Moorhead out to Barnesville keeping the doors of a valuable and needed business open.
The store is open every day. You can find out more information on the store's website .