Bozeman Business Sold After Almost 60 Years Of Local Ownership

Change can be hard, especially in a town that has become unrecognizable to many locals.

As people continue to move to Bozeman, the town continues to grow into what it has become, no longer what it once was. Oh sure, there are still businesses around that have been part of the community for decades. Places like Owenhouse Ace Hardware, Kenyon Noble, and Lerhkinds, but as time ticks on, many of the "old school Bozeman" businesses fade away.

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I just read that one of my favorite places is deciding to call it quits after 57 years in business here in Bozeman. In case you haven't heard, the owners of Joe's Parkway Market is calling it quits.

For the last several years, it's been a tradition in our house to order a Christmas prime rib from Joe's. While I wouldn't call myself a regular, I've always been impressed with the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the products. For those who know, Joe's offers many hard to find items, and a few international delights that can spice up any meal.

Is Joe's Parkway Market going out of business?

According to a social media post the Wantulok Family is selling the business. The post didn't mention who bought the store, or what they plan to do with it. So, what is the future? Well, I suppose we will have to wait and see, but that certainly hasn't stopped people from sharing their memories of the store and what it has meant to them.

With the close location to Montana State University, more than one person mentioned how Joe's was a big part of their college experience. Others mentioned how they remember the store from childhood.

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One thing is for sure, as time ticks on, we see less of these locally owned neighborhood markets and that's not a good thing. While I'm all for progress, and believe it's important, I'm also old enough to remember the "good ole days" and how places like Joe's shaped so many lives.