Cash Wise Foods is an American, employee-owned grocery store chain in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. The discount stores aim to feature high volume and keep prices low for their customers. Cash Wise sells food products, deli items, bulk foods, liquor, baby products, pet supplies, health & beauty and various other items for the family. In addition, Cash-Wise offers dry-cleaning services, pharmacy, floral, catering, fresh bakery and other services.
In 1921 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Chester Coborn opened a produce market to meet the needs of his local community. Chester added dry goods and pantry items to the product list and his sons eventually added meat when they purchased a walk-in cooler in 1936. The business stayed in the family through three generations and expanded through acquisition in the 1960s. The new stores took on a warehouse-style format and were called “Cash Wise”. New stores were added, including dedicated liquor stores, and the Cash-Wise brand now has dozens of stores, at least 20 of which are grocery stores.