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Neiman’s checks out

News Photo by Julie Riddle Brenda Donajkowski rings up groceries on the last day of business at Neiman’s Family Market on Tuesday. Business was brisk on the last day, even as shelves emptied in the nearly bare store. Employees are sad to see the store go, even though many have been offered new positions, Donajkowski said. “It’s kind of like a family,” she said, affectionately teasing a coworker. “You come every day, and, all of a sudden, you’re going to get up and not see these people in the morning.”
News Photo by Julie Riddle “Life’s what you bake it,” reads a sign waiting to be packed up near the former bakery section of Neiman’s Family Market on the business’s last day on Tuesday. In the background, stacks of shelving on pallets fill floor space usually taken up by loyal customers.

ALPENA — Neiman’s Family Market has closed up shop at its Alpena location after 37 years in business.

The store’s last day was Tuesday.

Neiman’s locations in Tawas, St. Clair, and Clarkston will remain open.

President and CEO Bryan Neiman told The News earlier that the Alpena area has not experienced population growth, while the number of competitors offering groceries has grown.

“I feel bad for the staff and the community, but, unfortunately, the pie got smaller and smaller, and we just couldn’t continue to operate the store profitably here,” Bryan Neiman said. “The online shopping, the other things that affected us really just all caught up with us during the pandemic.”

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