Story by Paula Patterson of the McIntosh County Star & Tribune
When Adolph and Doreen Rueb opened their small grocery store on Main Street in 1966, they weren’t thinking about legacy. They were thinking about raising a family, keeping shelves stocked, and making sure their neighbors didn’t have to drive miles for the basics. What they built instead became a cornerstone of Ashley life — a place where generations have gathered, traded news, and trusted the Ruebs to take care of them.
Sixty years later, that legacy lives on through their son and daughter‑in‑law, Kirk and Terri Rueb, who continue to operate Ashley’s only grocery store with the same steady hands and quiet pride that defined the family from the beginning. Ashley Super Value will celebrate its 60th anniversary on May 9, 2026.
“It was never just a business,” Adolph once said. “It was our way of being part of the community.” That sentiment still echoes through the aisles today.
Doreen and Adolph Rueb were still busy in the bakery in 2001.
A Craft Learned on the Run
Adolph didn’t enter the grocery world with a formal plan. He learned sausage making “on the run,” picking up techniques from older butchers and perfecting the German‑Russian recipes that became local staples. The Ruebs’ sausage — smoky, seasoned, unmistakably theirs — became part of Ashley’s culinary identity.
The store grew in small but meaningful steps: a bakery addition, a cooler expansion, long days that stretched into nights. Doreen kept the books and the household running, often with a baby on her hip and a pot of soup simmering for whoever stopped by.
Neighbors remember Super Value as more than a place to buy groceries. It was where you found a listening ear, a bit of advice, or a laugh at the counter — the kind of business that made small‑town life feel whole.
Passing the Torch
Kirk and Terri Rueb, second‑generation owners of Ashley Super Value, pictured at the site where the family’s grocery legacy continues to thrive.
When Kirk and Terri took over, they didn’t reinvent the store — they carried it forward. They kept the familiar cuts of meat, the dependable service, and the belief that every customer mattered. Kirk brought experience from Hornbacher’s, Cash Wise, and his time as a sales rep, adding improvements while preserving the heart of the place.
They modernized where needed, adapted to shifting supply chains, and weathered challenges that have closed so many rural groceries across the Midwest. Through it all, Ashley Super Value remained a lifeline — especially in harsh winters, during difficult years for families, and in moments when a friendly face behind the counter made all the difference.
A Legacy Rooted in Heritage
Ashley’s German‑Russian roots run deep, and the Ruebs embody that heritage: work ethic, resourcefulness, and a belief that community is built through service. Their store has been a gathering place for stories, recipes, and traditions passed down through generations.
In a town where history is cherished and continuity matters, the Ruebs have given Ashley something rare — a business that feels like family.
Sixty Years and Still Going
As Kirk and Terri mark six decades of the Rueb family keeping Ashley’s only grocery store alive, the milestone is more than an anniversary. It is a testament to perseverance, family, and the quiet, everyday work that sustains a community.
They’ve added gluten‑free options, stayed open through the pandemic, introduced hot soup, coffee, breakfast‑on‑the‑run items, and even sourdough bread. They hire generously, give people a chance, and keep the community informed — often being the first to post local updates and weather on Facebook. Terri calls Kirk “The Ambassador” of Ashley, and many agree.
Stop in the week of May 3 for their “Sixty Year Specials.” At Ashley Super Value, the smiles are always on, the donuts and coffee are always ready, and the variety is immense.
Thank you to Paula Patterson and the McIntosh County Star & Tribune for letting us share this story!
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