By Chad Koenen

Publisher

If there is a community event, or fundraiser in the greater New York Mills area, there is a pretty good chance Mills Country Market has its hands in the activities one way or another. And if they aren’t involved in the community function it is likely that is only because they weren’t asked.

Tim Muehler recently celebrated his sixth anniversary as owner of Mills Country Market. He purchased the business from longtime owner Dean Simpson and is continuing the legacy of giving back to the community that has been a staple of the local grocery store for generations. 

“We try to support as much and as many organizations as we can,” he said. 

The grocery store supports a number of organizations and causes throughout the year including the NY Mills Lions Club, NY Mills School, the Education Foundation, Mills Dream Team Relay for Life, NY Mills Fire Department and many more. 

“Take care of the people who take care of us,” said Tim’s son Tyler, who has been at the store ever since his dad purchased the business in 2017.

The giving back doesn’t stop at fundraisers, Tim has focused on providing locally sourced and produced products like Eagle Blend Coffee from the Owly Coffee Company,  Canoe Paddle Kettle Corn, Eagle clothing that is made in town and a number of other locally produced items that are rotating in and out of stock. 

“We support as many local businesses as we can,” he said. 

Since taking over the store six years ago, Tim has also focused on upgrading the grocery store. That includes new produce coolers, which has dramatically increased the quality and shelf life of fresh produce at the store, new flooring, a new bakery case, parking lot and the store will also be adding grab and go lunch sandwiches. The grab and go option will allow everyone from high school students who are out for lunch to those who are working and need a quick lunch option on the run. 

With over 115 years of experience from their employees and over 8,000 different items on the shelves, Mills Country Market offers the experience and items that go along with their tag line “small enough to be your neighbor, big enough to meet your needs.” 

On the outside chance that the grocery store doesn’t have what a person is looking for, Tim said in many situations the staff at the locally-owned business can custom order items to fill a need. Most of the items will arrive in a few short days and is yet another service Mills Country Market is providing to help meet the needs in the community. 

Another unique feature to Mills Country Market that is not found at big box stores is free delivery. The grocery store delivers to customers in town for free every Wednesday. The goal is to help and provide food to people who are home bound, elderly or may even be under the weather but need groceries to get through the week. Those who would like to have their groceries delivered on Wednesday should contact the store by Tuesday for delivery the following day. Curb side service is also available for those who would like to have their groceries brought out to them in their vehicles. 

The customer service doesn’t stop there, the grocery store is a full-service grocery store. There are no self check outs for customers, or need to look very far for an employee if you have a question. Mills Country Market employees will even go so far as to bring your groceries out to your car—even on the warmest and coldest days in Minnesota.

A few weeks ago Mills Country Market co-hosted the annual Miller St. block party with Twilight Jams Entertainment and Centennial Realty. Tim said he would like to thank everyone who came out to support the event and for the support the grocery store has received over the past six years.

Mills Country Market is open seven days a week and is located at 113 Miller St. in NY Mills.