Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Thursday helped Homestead Market in Dalton celebrate their first year in business with a ribbon cutting.
Michelle Benish helps a customer check out Friday afternoon. Michelle and Shad Benish recently celebrated one year of ownership of Homestead Market in Dalton.
Some of the charm of a small town is the "cathedral," as a sociologist might call it. It is the place where people meet for no more reason than to share a cup of coffee or carbonated drink, and the relationship that develops by meeting at the same table. It is what sets apart the mom and pop diner from the express fast-food counter.
It is one of the goals of Michelle and Shad Benish and their family, to have a place in Dalton where residents and visitors alike can stop in for a groceries, gift items or just a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Beware however. Make it a habit and you may soon be treated as one of the family.
"My goal was to fill a void in our community," Michelle Benish said.
The need for a coffee shop, a meat counter and grocery store was met about a year ago when they purchased the Homestead Market. The HomesteadMarket is a place where history meets the 21st century with evidence of the store's beginning throughout. Customers will hear the creak of the wood floor, a floor that itself dates back to the early 1900s when the location opened as a general store.
As shoppers casually walk through the store, there windmill parts, dairy carts and and pictures from the store's bustling early days. There is also the family history. Both Shad and Michelle trace their families to the late 1800s of the Dalton community, homesteading the grasslands when it was more wild than fenced.
The store has been at the same location since 1912. It still has the original floor, ceiling and much of the general store containers. It also has a hand-operated elevator
The store offers fresh-cut meats, deli sandwiches and the works, dairy and dry goods.
There is also a variety of convenience items from sport drinks to coffee. There are also shelves of gift items from books by local authors to craft items. In addition to sandwiches, the Benishes are trying new ideas for lunches. While the community was experiencing construction on Highway 385, they added soup to the lunch offerings.
"We're just playing with new ideas, see what works, what doesn't," she said.
The store quickly gained a following: coffee gatherings in the morning, lunches, students after school and the go-to grocery store.
"I never realized there is such a need," she said.
The Homestead Market is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The store has six employees, and the couple's three children are frequently present.
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