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Carlton family business thrives in changing times

When milk sales went sour, store added catering, more meat processing

When Neil and Theresa Erickson bought Carlton's Woodland Grocery back in 2013, it was already like an old familiar friend.

Theresa had found her first job at the store, which was then owned by her uncle, Richard Meger. She had worked there, off and on, since 1995.

Neil grew up on a family farm in the Wrenshall area and knew the store at 500 Third Street in Carlton, including its excellent meat department. He met Theresa in 2000. They got married and started a family.

Theresa had the store in mind, though.

"I took some time off in the 2000s when I had my kids," she said. "Then I went to Super O...