Shreve store has new owner, same philosophy
Joyce Webb, left, who worked at Scheck’s IGA in Shreve for 25 years, and Jim Daniels were on hand for the celebration of the store’s new ownership, Sweethaven of Shreve Corp. Webb will continue to work at Sweethaven.
Chuck Visocky sees it as a possible test from heaven.
On Saturday afternoon he found Allan Swank outside Sweethaven, formerly Scheck’s IGA, needing some vegetables for supper. The store had closed for cleaning and shelf stocking following the official transition of ownership from Scheck’s IGA to Sweethaven of Shreve Corp. on Friday.
Visocky told Swank to step inside the store, where he gave him the last package of broccoli.
It’s the kind of gesture Richard Scheck, who passed away in February after owning the store for 60 years with his wife Linda, would have offered, Chuck Visocky said during a barbecue dinner Sweethaven hosted for the community on June 27 in the store’s parking lot. “I guess I passed the test.”
Swank had shared how a number of years ago when he was on his way home from work and stopped by Scheck’s to get provisions for the family, including his small children, he realized he had no money because he’d forgotten his wallet.
Scheck gave Swank $20 for his groceries. “And he didn’t know me from Adam,” said Swank, who found his wallet when he got home and returned the money.
It’s that kind of caring attitude that will drive the operation of Sweethaven, said Visocky, who will oversee the business office. His son Carlos will be the store manager.
In speaking to the crowd of more than 200, Linda Scheck said she didn’t think about the impact the store had on the community until she saw the large turnout. She said she hopes Sweethaven continues for another 60 years.
"The Schecks created a huge, huge example of what we need to do going forward," Visocky said. “Mr. Scheck was someone who was friendly, someone who was caring and knew everyone by name.”
Sweethaven will create a Richard Scheck garden in front of the store that will include a bench with his name on it. Inside the store will hang a framed photo of the Scheck family at the store in the 1970s. The plan is to renovate the store to resemble what it looked like then, Visocky said.
A quick mart called The Beehive will open at 6 a.m. — earlier than the rest of the store — to sell doughnuts and He Brews coffee. The Market Street coffee shop in Shreve is owned by the Visockys.
Visocky said he began discussing buying the store from the Schecks about three years ago when he determined the village could support a grocery store going forward.
Talks stalled when COVID-19 hit, and Visocky said he was concerned for the health of 80-year-old Richard Scheck during the pandemic. “But Mr. Scheck said, ‘If this is going to be the way I’m going to go — working in my grocery store — that’s OK.’”
He wore a mask and worked through it, Visocky said.
It was Scheck who suggested Carlos Visocky manage the store, Chuck Visocky said. It also was Carlos Visocky who thought the same.
Carlos said he and his family were praying about a decision to manage the grocery store when, in his prayer, he asked that it be a sweethaven.
Carlos Visocky said he looks forward to serving the community because “a grocery store is the backbone of the community.”
“Every small town needs a good grocery store,” said Jim Daniels of Shreve, who attended the barbecue. He’s excited the store will remain a grocery store.
“And the people who are going to manage it,” Daniels said, “have upscale ideas. People will want to come to Shreve to go to the grocery store.”