ATKINSON, Neb. (KOLN) - In the RF Goeke Variety Store and soda fountain, the counters and fluted glassware remind Randy Fred Goeke of his childhood.

“I loved these kinds of stores,” Randy said. “The counters were made so that they displayed merchandise at child’s levels behind glass. They were filled with mystery.”

Randy first returned home to Holt County on a break from his work as an Episcopalian priest. During that time, he had hopes of writing books about five and dime stores in America.

“The community at that time I was moving back in 1995 - they were wanting their variety store back,” Randy said, “And it’s like, ‘Maybe I should just open a variety store, rather than write about it.’”

The classic soda fountain has been a part of RF Goeke’s since Randy opened its doors in the nearb

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