Lynn’s Dakotamart recently announced that all but two of its stores will transition to membership with Associated Food Stores (AFS). The move expands AFS’ reach into South Dakota and builds on AFS’s existing relationship with three Dakotamart locations already served by the cooperative.
Associated Food Stores supplies more than 480 independent supermarkets across the Intermountain West and beyond, offering procurement, distribution and marketing support to help locally owned grocers compete in an evolving retail landscape.
Founded in 1968 by grocery entrepreneur Lynn Feist, Lynn’s Dakotamart grew from a single store in Faith, S.D. to a multi-store regional chain serving rural communities across South Dakota. Over the past five decades the family-owned business built a reputation for strong community ties, high levels of customer service and local employment opportunities.
The transition effort has proceeded rapidly, thanks in large part to the work of AFS team members Javier Tapia, Nate Copeland, Robert Kolar, Gordon Daley, Andy Tuss, Kristina Champion, Joe Torres, Brad Krey and the members of the AFS reset team. These team members have made tremendous efforts to convert multiple locations quickly. Their coordination has helped ensure that shelving, signage, distribution systems and supply chain integrations were updated with minimal disruption to customers.
“Lynn’s Dakotamart has been a trusted partner and a valued part of the communities they serve for decades,” said Glen Keysaw, executive vice president of value chain. “We’re proud to work alongside their team as more of their locations are served by Associated Food Stores, and we’re committed to supporting a smooth transition that strengthens merchandising, supply chain efficiency and customer value. Their commitment to local shoppers and their communities embodies the independent spirit that makes AFS strong.”
Company officials said two Dakotamart stores will remain outside the AFS cooperative at this time, continuing under the Lynn’s banner with existing supplier relationships, while the rest of the stores adopt the AFS cooperative model.