Business & Tech

Herrell's Market Under New Ownership

Joe and Kathy Herrell have sold the Imperial business that has been in their family for nearly five decades.

Herrell's Market, which has been serving the community for nearly 50 years, is under new ownership.

But not to worry - you'll still find the same quality meats and friendly customer service the Imperial market has long been known for. That according to new owners Eddie Wakefield and Jeff Spradling.

The two men own two smaller grocery stores in Annapolis, MO, and Leadwood, MO. Wakefield said he and Spradling have been looking to buy a bigger grocery store, and they found out about Herrell's through their meat supplier. 

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"We decided to keep the Herrell's name because of its history," Wakefield said. "They've built a longstanding business that means a lot to the community, and we want to carry on that tradition."

Wakefield said beginning on Monday, the market will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. He added that customers will also soon see lower prices on grocery items because of the combined buying power the company has with its two other grocery stores.

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Joe Herrell, 68, told Patch the building where Herrell's is located has served as a grocery store since 1904. Joe's brother Gene bought the market in November 1964. Joe started working there the month afterward. Joe and his wife Cathy bought the business in 2008 when Gene retired.

"We've been wanting to retire, but we have been waiting for the right people to come along and take over the business," Joe said. "We started with a 6-foot-long meat counter and built it into a quality meat market business."

Joe has agreed to stay on at the market until the end of May to help in the transition. So what will the man with the friendly face everybody knows and loves miss the most? "The people - both the employees and the customers," Joe said.


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