&uot;When you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours,&uot; was the motto once printed on a wall sign in Bob’s Food Store in Clarks Grove.

Sunday, August 19, 2001

&uot;When you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours,&uot; was the motto once printed on a wall sign in Bob’s Food Store in Clarks Grove.

This motto reflected the philosophy of the store’s owner, Bob Hanson. And in appreciation of his friendly service to this community, the local park was named in his honor two decades ago. This fact is confirmed with a sign on the side of the park’s pavilion with the date of 1981.

Robert E. Hanson was born on Dec. 9, 1917, in the Clarks Grove area, the son of Edward P. and Augusta Hanson.

Prior to World War II, he graduated from Albert Lea High School and worked at Malmer’s Grocery Store on West Clark Street. During the war, Hanson served in the U.S. Navy with a construction battalion (the Seabees). After the war he worked for a short time at the Wilson plant and also at the Continental Foundry in Albert Lea.

In 1947, Hanson and his wife, Florence, moved to Clarks Grove where he worked for Clarks Grove Mercantile. In 1954, they opened Bob’s Food Store in a building on the main street which had previously been used as a hotel, apartment house, grocery store and dining area, and even used for a shoemaker’s business.

A 1980 article by Tribune Staff Writer Michael Dapper said the Hansons &uot;served smiles and groceries ever since (1954).&uot;

Dapper added: &uot;Many customers charge all their purchases, and Hanson, who knows practically all his customers, pulls out their account books as they lug their goods to the counter. He doesn’t even have to ask whether they charge or pay cash.

&uot;’You can always tell when they’re going to charge because they don’t go for their billfolds,’ Hanson said. He learned this through years of dealing with customers, through experience, which he values.&uot;

During his years of residence in Clarks Grove, Hanson served as the village treasurer and as a member of the volunteer fire department. Florence Hanson, Bob’s wife, died in 1972. He continued to operate the store until the fall of 1980 when the business was sold and he retired.