Residents of a small, rural town in southern Minnesota are bracing for the loss of their local grocery store at the end of the month.

The Board of Directors of the community-owned Kiester Market announced Monday that the store will close Dec. 31.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of our Kiester Market," the Board shared on Facebook. "Thank you to everyone for your patronage over the years."

Approximately 500 people reside in Kiester, which is in roughly two miles from the Iowa border in Faribault County.

Many residents have expressed sadness over the upcoming closure of the market, which sells groceries, grab-and-go food and offer a reuse section with a range of secondhand goods.

The market is also a community hub, with burgers and brats grilled weekly during the s

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