TEMPLE, Texas — A well-known grocery and meat market in Temple could soon be under new ownership as the current owners are looking to pass the baton, but it has to be to someone who is willing to carry on the tradition and culture.
Kerley's Grocery & Market has been in the hands of the Talasek family for five decades. Lynette Talasek took over the business from her father, Jerry, after he died from brain cancer seven years ago. Talasek told 6 News she hasn't been able to put in the effort to the business that she would like to and it's time to find new "capable hands."
"There's just a lot of potential and I'd love to see somebody who would just grow in that potential," Talasek said. "Take it what it is, walk in, I hand everything to you, and then grow it. Put the time in it. Come down here, spend time with the people who run it, get to know my people. I want a place to shop and get good meat still."
The Temple treasure is known for its hand-cut meats. Kerley's also offers other services like catering and special customer requests as well as the essentials they offer in their little shop on E. Central Avenue. What stands out to most of the shop's customers is the culture the owner and employees have created.
"We love the people," Talasek said. "Our customers, we know a lot of them -- we've known them for years. It's a feel-good spot. It's a good place to be. It's a good place to grow."
Jimmy Johnson, one of the employees at Kerley's, told 6 News his favorite part about working at Kerley's Grocery & Market:
"It's a community store, so everything is going right and everybody knows everybody," Johnson said. "The community support speaks for itself."
As Kerley's Grocery & Market braces for a possible business change, Talasek said it's not going to be a rushed process. She wants to ensure the next owner keeps the staple for the community. No matter what, she's not closing up shop.
"I'll hold on to it until that person comes along and I feel like I'll know who that is when they come," Talasek added.
If you are interested in taking over this beloved business, serious inquiries should be made to Bryant Ward at Keeping It Realty.
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