After 42 years of owning a grocery store, and more than 60 years in the business for Frank Lueptow, and 50 for Stephanie Lueptow, they are retiring.
According to a news release, on April 25, the Lueptows will be selling their stores and shopping centers in Elkhorn and East Troy. Hansen’s IGA Markets will be purchasing the businesses.
In 1981, Frank and Stephanie Lueptow opened a 5,000-square-foot store, Frank’s Quality Market in downtown Elkhorn. Within a year they bought their nearest competitor and moved across the street to a 10,000-square-foot location and rebranded as Frank’s SuperValu Discount Foods.
The Lueptows spent a decade in that location, until it was time again to upgrade. In 1991 they opened their current location as Frank’s County Market in a new 35,000-square-foot building.
As the Elkhorn continued to grow, so did Frank’s. In 2001, they completed a 10,000-square-foot addition.
Lueptows expressed their excitement of growing at the time saying, “It is our great pleasure to continue to expand and evolve with our hometown.”
In 2009, Frank’s expanded east by acquiring the East Troy Sentry store. “We are so excited to grow and service the community of East Troy. It is a special place, and we look forward to being part of the community,” the Lueptows said at the time.
In 2011, Frank’s joined the Piggly Wiggly family (Piggly Wiggly Midwest) and both locations became Frank’s Piggly Wiggly.
“Frank’s stores have grown with Elkhorn and East Troy and it is now time to pass on their stewardship to a new family business with the Hansens,” the Lueptows stated in the news release. “The Lueptows sincerely express their appreciation to all their customers, vendors and their employees for their support, friendship, and loyalty over the last 42 years.”
