What Cheer Business Closes Doors After 144 Years
Brenda (left) and Rhonda (right) Thomas on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. One day before closing the doors on Thomas Grocery, and 144 years of continual operation by the family.
What Cheer, Iowa – The door swings open striking a little bell, announcing the arrival or departure of a customer to Thomas Grocery. That little bell quit ringing on Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas Grocery had been a part of the What Cheer community for the past 144 years, with four generations of the family leading the business.
On Wednesday, July 25th, Rhonda, and sister Brenda, closed the doors to the grocery store forever, and that bell no longer chimes for customers.
Rhonda gave some brief history of the business that started out in what was called “old town” in 1875, during the period when What Cheer was booming.
Rhonda and Brenda’s mother took the business over from their grandfather in September of 1965, who then passed away in 2006.
The store is now in a metal building that is connected to the old brick structures that used to be the grocery store, where penny candy was sold out of an ornate wooden display cabinet.
“Never knew my grandpa or my great grandpa. They were all gone before I came around. But I’ve made many, many, many friends through the years,” says Rhonda of the importance the store has been in her life.
Looking back at all of the people that have stepped through the doors of Thomas Grocery, Rhonda says 99.99% of them have been a joy. “You know, you always get that .1% who wants to be a stinker, but you consider the source and smile.”
A note on the counter at Thomas Grocery says they will close for the final time on July 25, 2018. “Thanks to Everyone! God Bless”
Being positive is something that Rhonda kept going back to during our brief discussion, even as the world seems to be moving on from small towns like What Cheer. ” The world is changing. If you look around, the world is changing, and it’s just common.”
“My customers have all been very loyal and good. We lost a lot at the nursing home, passing away. We’re all getting older,” said Rhonda of the changing world.
There isn’t a list of things waiting for Rhonda when the store closes, as she’s not a fan of lists, but she’s been working through one of those lists as she’s been working to close down the store.
The famous What Cheer Opera House provides shows and entertainment for the sisters, and Rhonda says that once the store is closed, and they don’t have to work on Sunday anymore, it will give them a chance to play bingo this winter.
As the door gets locked for the final time on Thomas Grocery, the memories of serving the community and time with family will be all that remain. “Lots of good memories. All the good memories” said Rhonda of the experience.
“I’ve always been for What Cheer. I’ll always care for What Cheer. I love the people,” said Rhonda as she prepared to help carry a customer’s groceries to his car. “The people have been a joy.”
