Rural grocery stores are dying off. Here's what some communities are doing to save them

Rural areas are losing grocery stores to consolidation faster than their urban counterparts — but some communities have come up with innovative solutions.
For about five years, Emerson, Nebraska, had no grocery store, leaving residents to drive at least 20 miles for a full-service grocery.

Then last year the community came together to support a new co-op, and Post 60 Market moved into the old American Legion building.

Manager Brian Horak said the village of 824 people invested nearly $160,000 in the store.

“With being a co-op and so many people bought in – it's like you got multiple owners who have just as much commitment to see this thing succeed,” Horak said.