The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Grocery Store Is Back In La Harpe R & M Market and Floral
by Deb Olson-Reporter, Hancock-Henderson Quill
Rebecca Boone Quivey and her husband Max both grew up in La Harpe. Rebecca's mom ran a flower shop in town "Carol's Flower Nook" and her dad ran several restaurants around town.
Following this family tradition, six years ago Rebecca took over the restaurant in La Harpe "Country Cafe" and, working with her daughter C. J., the business grew and prospered.
Hoping to bring a flower shop back to the city, Rebecca and her husband purchased a building for the flower shop and began remodeling it. Then early this year R & D Foods closed.
Looking at the empty grocery, Max Quivey told his wife that La Harpe needed a grocery store. For example, elderly citizens appreciate having a grocery in town so they don't have far to travel for food and other supplies. Other citizens appreciate the convenience of shopping in town, too.
So the community minded couple looked into how to make that happen, but with an already prosperous restaurant and the promise of a new flower shop how could they add another business.
Combining the grocery with the flower shop was the answer, so R & M Market and Floral is now open for business.
Quivey's daughter Megan, who previously worked at Country Market, brings her grocery expertise to the new store.
The grocery store's re-opening has prompted many questions from customers:
Will there be a meat counter?
What about the bakery?
Will things stay the same?
The answers to these questions are simple.
R & M Market and Floral will provide full service - meat, bakery, and deli and now, a floral shop, too.
The store accepts debit and credit cards, but are not yet set up to accept WIC or Link at this time. The process has been started but will take up to 60 days to complete.
In addition, Hunt Brother's pizza is not currently available at the store, but will return soon, Rebecca says.
There are some modest changes. The Quivey's re-set the store. That is, they re-arranged where different items are located, hoping to improve flow through the store and to implement the new floral area.
People in La Harpe have been very supportive of their efforts.
"Being local helps," Rebecca Quivey said.
Customers who have known Rebecca and her family for many years are happy that they have chosen to work toward the success of this new business.
"I am proud to be from La Harpe," she said.
She hopes that locals will continue to support her efforts and shop locally to keep La Harpe happy and prosperous.
The opening was actually the delight of many residents who had missed the convenience of having a local grocer and the donuts. As one customer said, "One must not forget-the best donuts around!"
Rebecca Quivey (left) and daughter Megan Smith stand with some of their flowers in their newly opened grocery with added floral department-R & M Market & Floral, 707 E. Main St., La Harpe.
Ashley Ferguson checks out customers at Rebecca & Max Quivey's new business at the east end of Main Street, R&M Market and Floral.