The Grasch Foods grocery store in Brookfield is set to become a Sendik’s Food Market in a transaction announced today.
The Grasch family has operated Grasch Foods at 13950 W. North Ave. in Brookfield since 1957. But the family has now decided to retire and sell the property and grocery business to the Balistreri family, which operates Sendik’s. The store is currently owned and operated by siblings Bill and Bob Grasch and Mary Jo Stark.
The transaction is expected to close in the next few months. Current Grasch employees, which total about 130 to 150 depending on the season, will have the option to become Sendik’s employees.
The business, which has been run by the Grasch family for three generations, was originally established by Anton and Mary Grasch at North 45th Street and West Lisbon Avenue in Milwaukee in the early 1930s. Their son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Josie, opened the Brookfield location in 1957. Tony and Josie’s children, Bob, Bill and Mary Jo, became partners in the business in 1980. The Brookfield grocery store, now the sole location of Grasch Foods, has been remodeled and expanded over the years from its original 6,500-square-foot size, and is now 28,000 square feet.
“We are very proud of the legacy of Grasch Foods,” Bill Grasch said. “Through the years, our customers have become like family, and it was important to us that they continue to receive the service they deserve. The Balistreri family has an excellent reputation, and we know our customers will be in good hands.”
The Balistreri siblings, Ted, Patrick, Nick and Margaret Harris, operate 11 Sendik’s Food Markets and a small-format Sendik’s Fresh2GO across the Milwaukee area. They are also planning new markets in West Milwaukee, Brookfield, Greendale and Hales Corners. The Grasch store will become Sendik’s 13th location.
“The values that the Grasch family has operated by are very much aligned with how we treat our guests and our associates,” said Ted Balistreri. “They have established a high standard, and we look forward to building on their great history.”
