The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
In April of 2016, the Quill featured Rebecca and Max Quivey as new owners of the R&M Market & Florist. Sadly this past week the grocery and flower shop has closed.
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, but due to lack of help, the restaurant closed.
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 R & D Foods closed.
The store was reopened after Max, looking at the empty grocery, told Rebecca 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 opened the store in hopes of serving the community the best they could.
Many long and hard hours have been put into the grocery and florist business since April of 2016, but with COVID hitting and the rising prices and costs, especially electricity hikes, Rebecca felt it was time to close with future plans of working for a paycheck with limited hours.
The Quiveys appreciate all the support they were given at the store and will miss the friendly faces. They also appreciate their help throughout the six years there.
Community members appreciated having the grocery and all the good deeds the Quiveys did for others, such as taking meals to people shut-in during COVID-19.
Once this door had the hours of business and other pertinent information listed. Now it is simply the somber two words, “Store Closed.”
For the past few years the LaHarpe Community has been served by Rebecca & Max Quivey’s R&M Market and Floral. They supplied groceries, meals for senior citizens and flowers for our weddings and funerals. Unfortunately the high cost of utilities has made it necessary for the store to close. It is a big loss.
A file photo of The Quill's April 2016 article with a caption that read: "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. The opening was actually the delight of many residents who had missed the convenience of having a local grocer.
The shelves were almost empty Saturday, August 27, 2022, after having their “buy one get one free” going out of business sale. Rebecca said that it is a “bitter sweet experience for her.” She plans to pursue a job where she receives a “paycheck” going forward. We wish for her better days ahead. - photos by A. Lee Unger for The Quill