On April 10, 1972, Ernie and Sharron Gempeler purchased a small grocery store in Monticello from John Streiff. The store was small, as it had only three aisles, one cash register, and a half dozen employees. The Gempeler family set about expanding the store in 1973. They purchased and remodeled the adjacent vacant building formerly occupied by Karl's (Duerst) Meat Market, which doubled the size of the grocery store.

From its beginning, Gempeler's Supermarket has been dedicated to family and community. Ernie served on Monticello Village Board for many years, and the family has been activ...