ARGYLE - With a family of role models, Monroe native Roberta Bayrhoffer has been immersed in the daily operations of businesses for decades, and even in the face of retirement could not resist the challenge of bringing a small-town grocery store back to life.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986, Bayrhoffer, now 52, left the state for California, where she resided until last year. She moved back to Wisconsin from Long Beach with plans to retire after operating a retail store called Bungalow Bay since 2001. The plan was to leave her trusted employees to run the store while overseeing operations from afar. However, it didn't take long for Bayrhoffer and business partner Susie Adams to find a new project to take on.
Since January, the pair has been renovating their new grocery store located at 204 East Milwaukee St. in Argyle. The store was formerly known as Rossing's Fine Foods, which closed in 2012.
"It's an opportunity to help," Bayrhoffer said. "To fix a problem."
Renovations have been extensive, from electrical and flooring to painting. Bayrhoffer said they had been reusing items from the previous store as much as possible.
Adams said the pair had barely settled into the Monticello area before they began researching whether to purchase the store. Adams, 56, said they wanted to make sure they did their "due diligence" in ensuring the business could be a success for the area.
Using her expertise as a real estate agent, she researched the property. And after winning a property auction Jan. 17, the work began. The store will be named Belle's Argyle Grocery, in a tribute to Bayrhoffer's grandmother Christine Belle Elliot, who was the owner of a number of businesses in the area at one time. Her properties included the Monticello House and a number of smaller, local establishments. Bayrhoffer's parents, Robert and Caroline, owned the Alphorn Inn in Monroe for a number of years.
Bayrhoffer said people have been supportive, showing up in groups after seeing posts asking for help on Facebook. Other local people have offered help and partnerships, including Tom Ellefson of Windover Ranch, who has an agreement with Belle's to sell local beef. Bayrhoffer and Adams wanted to ensure local resources are used and that they use the same supplier for other products to stay even with other local stores.
"Our plan is to revitalize the community," Adams said. "We're trying to be the niche, because there's just not a lot around here."
So far, Bayrhoffer said, they have held sessions asking for feedback on what the community needs. They now have an idea of demand. Requests included the use of local producers.
Adams said they will have a full store, bakery and deli and will eventually stock hot food that visitors can enjoy while seated next to the large windows facing East Milwaukee Street.
The grand opening is planned for the weekend of May 6, but Bayrhoffer admitted it may take an extra week of work to make the store fit for customers.
"We're still shooting for the first week," Bayrhoffer said. "But we'll see where that goes."
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986, Bayrhoffer, now 52, left the state for California, where she resided until last year. She moved back to Wisconsin from Long Beach with plans to retire after operating a retail store called Bungalow Bay since 2001. The plan was to leave her trusted employees to run the store while overseeing operations from afar. However, it didn't take long for Bayrhoffer and business partner Susie Adams to find a new project to take on.
Since January, the pair has been renovating their new grocery store located at 204 East Milwaukee St. in Argyle. The store was formerly known as Rossing's Fine Foods, which closed in 2012.
"It's an opportunity to help," Bayrhoffer said. "To fix a problem."
Renovations have been extensive, from electrical and flooring to painting. Bayrhoffer said they had been reusing items from the previous store as much as possible.
Adams said the pair had barely settled into the Monticello area before they began researching whether to purchase the store. Adams, 56, said they wanted to make sure they did their "due diligence" in ensuring the business could be a success for the area.
Using her expertise as a real estate agent, she researched the property. And after winning a property auction Jan. 17, the work began. The store will be named Belle's Argyle Grocery, in a tribute to Bayrhoffer's grandmother Christine Belle Elliot, who was the owner of a number of businesses in the area at one time. Her properties included the Monticello House and a number of smaller, local establishments. Bayrhoffer's parents, Robert and Caroline, owned the Alphorn Inn in Monroe for a number of years.
Bayrhoffer said people have been supportive, showing up in groups after seeing posts asking for help on Facebook. Other local people have offered help and partnerships, including Tom Ellefson of Windover Ranch, who has an agreement with Belle's to sell local beef. Bayrhoffer and Adams wanted to ensure local resources are used and that they use the same supplier for other products to stay even with other local stores.
"Our plan is to revitalize the community," Adams said. "We're trying to be the niche, because there's just not a lot around here."
So far, Bayrhoffer said, they have held sessions asking for feedback on what the community needs. They now have an idea of demand. Requests included the use of local producers.
Adams said they will have a full store, bakery and deli and will eventually stock hot food that visitors can enjoy while seated next to the large windows facing East Milwaukee Street.
The grand opening is planned for the weekend of May 6, but Bayrhoffer admitted it may take an extra week of work to make the store fit for customers.
"We're still shooting for the first week," Bayrhoffer said. "But we'll see where that goes."