This is Fred Ball, Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Over the years I've had a lot of affiliation with small business owners, and I find myself championing the "little guy," cheering as he or she succeeds. I especially love it when these smaller companies are family-owned and they move into second and third generations of ownership. Such is the case with Peterson's Marketplace in Riverton.

A butcher by trade, Louis "Lute" Peterson founded a small family-owned grocery store nearly 71 years ago. With only a little bit of money but a lot of determination, Lute used all available resources - including a nearby cottonwood tree that served as his first butcher block - to establish Peterson's Marketplace. What started as a 2,000-square-foot shop in an old, torn down church has grown into a successful 44,000-square-foot grocery store known as Peterson's Marketplace.

Monte Peterson, current president, tells me the family-owned business is a full-line grocery store. Lute's legacy continues as the store specializes in meats, carrying only USDA Choice items. Peterson's also has signature items in its bakery and deli and carries local produce when it's available.

Peterson's Marketplace is still family-owned and operated. Monte's mother, Dona, who ran it for years with her husband, Bruce, is still involved despite having passed on the management responsibilities to Monte and his sisters, Jan and Jodi. The Petersons have watched Riverton change from a rural farming community into more of a commuting community. This has affected the amount of people the store can serve and has brought more competition, which helped the Petersons streamline their company to offer better customer service and improve overall operations in their facility.

Monte tells me he would like to see Peterson's Marketplace remain in the family in future generations and perhaps expand into more than one facility. He also wants it to not only survive but thrive in today's competitive market.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

Peterson's Marketplace
1777 W. 12600 South
Riverton, UT 84065
801-254-0761

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