3 days ago
Business steadily increasing at Fair Market
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Each day we all have to deal with cost-of-living pressures. And while overall inflation has eased from its peak in 2022, many household costs remain elevated, according to a CBS News price tracker.
In an effort to save money where they can, many people might seek out the cheapest options for their groceries. And in Sioux Falls, that could mean a trip to the Fair Market.
Fair Market consolidated into one, large grocery store on North Minnesota Avenue about six months ago and executive director Kristin Johnson says its been seeing a steady increase in customers since then.
State's attorney: 'ICE agents acted reasonably'
'We're seeing more people than we saw at our previous locations,' Johnson said. 'You know, some of that's due to the economy, some of it's because people are finding us that didn't find us before.'
This is a salvage grocery store, meaning it brings in product not wanted on the mainstream market.
'Sometimes the packages are damaged, sometimes it's a little passed the 'best by' date, sometimes the branding changed,' Johnson said. 'And we get that all in for a discount and we sell it at a discount. So, keeping it from the landfill and also giving people the opportunity to get their groceries for about half of what they would've somewhere else.'
While most of Fair Market's product is salvaged, there is a staple items section where everything is fresh.
LS: What do you like about Fair Market?
'The prices. And the selection. They've got just about anything you can want and need, you know, you can get it. And then treats for my grandbabies,' customer Cathy Withers said.
'It's really fun to come in and just see what can you find and read about products that maybe I've never heard of,' customer Jill Martens said.
While Fair Market is a discount store, Johnson says it's not just for people living on a low income.
'It's for everybody,' Johnson said. 'You know, you want to save money on your groceries or, you know, make your buck go further or you're feeding, like at my house, hungry teenagers who are bottomless pits. You can get a lot of things here and just not break the bank. So, the more we sell, the more we buy and it just helps that cycle to keep going.'
While you can find most things you can find in other grocery stores at Fair Market, Johnson says one thing they are still working on getting is produce.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
