Off the Map: Shellsburg grocer ‘grew up in this business’

SHELLSBURG - Roy Fish can recall what a lot of people have on their grocery lists.

Having worked in the family grocery store since 1963, Fish is an unofficial expert on everything from produce and cereal to meat and candy.

'I know where everything is,” he said of the 4,400 square foot store and all its products. 'I grew up in this business.”

What started in 1945 in a small space next door - which Fish said they called the 'Up and Back” as there was just one aisle - Roy's Hometown Grocery is a fixture right in the heart of Shellsburg.

Fish said people often are surprised by the variety of items they find in the small town grocery store.

'We've got almost everything the big stores offer. We just might not have all the sizes,” he said. 'And if we don't have it we can see if we can get it.”

Roy's also has made a name for itself with the meat department.

'Meat is a big card for us,” said Fish, noting that the bratwursts and handmade bratwurst patties are most popular. 'In the summer we can make and sell a couple hundred brats a week.”

After Fish's parents died in 1972, he took over operations, a duty he now shares with his wife, Jean.

As owner, Fish handles a variety of duties on any given day, from working the front cash register to stocking shelves. Fish also manages his team of eight employees, handles all the money, places orders and make sure deliveries are coming in when they need to.

'I'm here every day,” he said. 'Sometimes I sit in my office and don't get anything done because people come in and chat all day long.”

Over the last five decades, Fish said he has seen many changes to the grocery operation.

'We used to put the groceries in boxes and carry them out to the car for you,” he said. 'Now everything goes in plastic bags.”

He also recalls writing prices on items with a black grease pencil. 'And now we don't price everything,” he said, noting that the computerized cash registers - which he put in in 1994 - help them track inventory.

After all these years, Fish said he is proud to be continuing his family legacy.

'I grew up doing this and I'll keep doing this,” he said, noting that he's proud to have his son and daughter also work for him part time.

'Being able to maintain the store is difficult in today's environment,” he said. 'But we are lucky that our local support has always been good. We wouldn't have anywhere else in town if we weren't here.”