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Tadych’s Marketplace Foods in IM to close in August

By Betsy Bloom 3 min read

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Tadych's Marketplace Foods, a grocery store that has been a fixture in Iron Mountain since 1987, will shut its doors by the end of August.

Minnesota-based Coborn's Inc., which purchased the store at 1600 Stephenson Ave. in 2021, posted on the Marketplace Foods, Iron Mountain Facebook page, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our Tadych's Marketplace Foods store in Iron Mountain will be closing."

The post provided no specifics on why the Iron Mountain location -- one of three Marketplace Foods that Coborn's owns in the Upper Peninsula, along with stores in Houghton and Marquette -- was being shuttered, other than, "This was an incredibly difficult decision and one that was not made lightly."

It continued, "We know this store has been more than a place to shop -- it has been a place where relationships were built, familiar faces were welcomed, and neighbors served neighbors."

The post said Iron Mountain store employees would be supported through the transition, "including opportunities for those who wish to continue their careers with Coborn's, Inc."

A Daily News business profile in February 2025 indicated at that time the store had about 80 employees.

The Facebook post concluded, "While this chapter is coming to a close, our gratitude for the Iron Mountain community will remain. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and for being part of our story."

Tadych's Marketplace Foods was one of the area's largest grocery stores when opened in 1987 as Econofoods by Jim Tadych. Tadych had opened his first store in Brillion, Wis., in 1968 and would eventually have the locations in Iron Mountain, Houghton and Marquette, plus Brillion, Clintonville and Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin.

All in October 2021 became part of Coborn's Inc., a 100-year-old, employee-owned grocery retailer with nearly 10,000 employees and 77 grocery stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The Iron Mountain store features a floral department, a meat department that had butchers on site, a bakery that makes much of its products from scratch in house and a deli.

Comments on the Facebook announcement expressed sadness at the decision and wondered if something could be done to save the store.

"The closing of the Iron Mountain store will be a terrible loss to the community. The store is always clean, staff is helpful, and has many family friendly events. I shopped the store often. I liked going into a store that is small, has a bakery, deli, and butcher shop," one wrote.

Said another, "It's my sincere hope that it can be turned around & stay a viable option in the community. I love their porketta, Becco's sausage, bakery and fresh floral. Everyone has been great to work with over the years. I've used them for several things, grad parties, fundraising events, our booster club, parents night, etc. tough loss!!"

Some hoped such store fixtures as Becco's sausage, which the Tadych family took over after Becco's Market closed, and porketta will be able to continue at a different business.

"Can't help but ask, 'Where will we get Becco sausage?'" one person commented on Facebook.

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Betsy Bloom can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85240, or bbloom@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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