Rural Innovation in Action: Inside Cody Nebraska’s Student-Run Grocery Store | Building Nebraska

On this episode of Building Nebraska, we travel to Cherry County to visit the Circle C Market, a one-of-a-kind student-run grocery store that has become the heartbeat of the community. A Community’s Big Idea The Circle C Market began as a bold experiment. Two business teachers dreamed of giving kids hands-on learning opportunities while solving a critical problem: the nearest full-service grocery store was more than an hour away. Thanks to a grant, community support, and plenty of student energy, that dream became reality in 2013. Students at the Helm From stocking shelves and managing vendors to customer service and even serving as store managers, students gain real-world skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. The market doubles as a learning lab, with a teacher’s classroom built right inside the store. “What better way to teach students how to work than by letting them run a real grocery store?” says Liz Ravenscroft, teacher and store manager. More Than a Business The Circle C Market isn’t just about selling bread, milk, and eggs. It’s about community resilience. For many residents, especially those who can’t travel to larger towns, the store is a lifeline. As Liz shared, one elderly community member depends on weekly grocery deliveries—made possible because the Circle C Market exists. A Model for Rural America Cody’s student-led grocery store stands as a rare success story at a time when many rural towns struggle to keep their main streets alive. Built with straw bale walls, stocked with local pride, and fueled by student ambition, the Circle C Market proves that entrepreneurship can solve real community needs. Listen now to hear how Cody’s students are building a stronger future for their community on the Building Nebraska podcast, brought to you by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.