Bob Robbins, Travis Bangs, Caroline Bangs, and Mike Ward.
Bob Robbins managed Wrangell's IGA store for 11 years before taking ownership in 2000. Now, this year, the store will come under new ownership.
Mike Ward said that he and Robbins have been in talks of buying the grocery store for some time, but that there was finally some light at the end of the tunnel.
"We've gone from the speed of lawyer to the speed of bank," Robbins said with a laugh.
Robbins added that, tentatively, the transition will take place this winter. He did not mention any future plans, saying he did not have any yet. He said that he would probably have that figured out come Thanksgiving.
Ward is a lifelong Alaskan, who runs Hauser's IGA in Haines. He said that he had been looking to expand business when he heard Bobs' IGA was up for sale. Along with Ward, Travis Bangs and Caroline Bangs will be partners and the "face" of the business in Wrangell.
"We're going to continue doing the hometown things that Bobs' IGA has been doing, you know, keep turning out the good customer service, and the deli and the meat, and all the things that they've been doing well," Ward said. "And we'll try to improve in some
other areas, and focus on satisfying customers and taking care of business."
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