Staple & Spice Market Celebrates 80 Years in Rapid City

Staple & Spice Market: 80 Years of Tradition on a Historic Corner

Celebrating 80 years in downtown Rapid City, Staple & Spice Market continues a century-old tradition of serving the community while evolving to meet the needs of today’s customers.

Article by Local Black Hills Contributing Writer

Emily Tupa, Realtor – REMAX Advantage

For nearly a century, there has been a market at the corner of Mt. Rushmore Road and St. Joseph Street—and generations of Rapid City residents have a story to tell about it.

Today, Staple and Spice Market carries on that grocery tradition, offering natural foods, herbs and spices, coffee and tea, supplements, health and beauty products, and more.

The building dates to 1930, and sometime between 1946 and 1960 a grocery called Rose Marketeria occupied the corner space. In 1973, Dean Mason purchased the store, renamed it Black Hills Staple and Spice, and expanded its offerings. In 1991 under owner Carol Pugh it became simply, Staple and Spice Market. In 1994, Pugh facilitated a major remodel that added a grain mill room, still used today to provide freshly milled wheat flour.

In January 2020, Tammy and Wayne Yanders purchased the store. For Tammy, the business felt like a calling. As a registered nurse and certified health coach with a passion for wellness, she saw an opportunity to help others live healthier lives. She was given the opportunity immediately when COVID pandemic hit. She looked for ways to immediately give back to the community- selling masks and using funds to purchase food for first responders.

From the moment they purchased the store, the Yanders began thoughtfully updating the business while preserving its history and character. They refreshed the store’s logo and signage, entered the entire inventory into a new point-of-sale system, introduced fresh organic produce baskets and expanded the store’s role in the community with educational classes. Customers can now purchase nonperishable items and have them shipped. The store offers grocery pickup and a client rewards program and can even make custom gift baskets on any budget.

All the growth hasn’t made them forget their roots. Tammy says customers in their 80s still come through the doors reminiscing about memories like the extra-long licorice ropes that used to be sold.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable parts of Staple and Spice isn’t something you can buy at all. It’s the scent: a unique blend of coffee, herbs, spices, soaps and lotions. Tammy says people sometimes ask what perfume she’s wearing.

From a small neighborhood market to a beloved downtown destination, Staple and Spice Market has become much more than a store. It is a place where generations of customers can find something familiar, discover something new and get personalized service with a focus on local and health-conscious products.

The Yanders are grateful to be part of that history—and excited to see what the next chapter brings as they expand again into fitness and health coaching.