Montana State University Bozeman - Montanan Yearbook (Bozeman, MT)

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JOE'S PARKWAY GROCERY Need to cash a check, buy a six pack, or some other groceries? Chances were, in 1979. Joe’s Parkway may have been where you went for any of those purchases. Joe’s Parkway, located on West College, is owned by Joe Wantulok. After working for the Safeway Supermarkets for 32 years. Mr. Wantulok retired, only to become bored, so when he heard that a small grocery store on West College was for sale, he bought it. Prior to Mr. Wantulok's purchase of the store in 1970. the store was always in the red”. Practically ten years later. Wantulok said that the store had become literally a gold mine. During the school year, seventy-five percent of Parkway customers were college students, coming from all over campus. But the three major groups were from the dorms just across the street. Greeks, and students from married student housing. Other customers included university employees and neighboring townspeople. Why have people shopped at Joe’s? Convenience was the main reason. Mr. Wantulok said. He mentioned that the Parkway was a handy place for college students and neighbors to shop, with a variety of foods in different brands and price ranges comparable to even the supermarkets here in town. Although a customer may not have found as great a number or as many brands as in supermarkets. he should have found a variety to suit his needs. Joe's Parkway has sold a variety of groceries but their number one selling product was. you guessed it. beer. If you walked into Joe’s on a weekend night or a Friday afternoon, most likely you saw a line of college students buying beer and cashing checks. The Parkway also sold products that were not so well-known to students. Four to five sides of beef were sold per week to families and various groups in Bozeman. During the holiday season, the Parkway was one of the few grocery stores in Bozeman which sold fresh turkeys. Joe’s Parkway also served as a bank for students wanting to cash checks. In fall quarter. '79. the Parkway initiated a new policy for check cashing, with a 25 t charge if there was no purchase. When asked why. Wantulok replied that the charge was used to cover for loss due to bad checks. Bad checks were not the only loss of money for the Parkway. Throughout the years, the Parkway has had break-ins. vandalism, and one armed robbery. According to Mr. Wantulok. the isolated location and smaller size made the Parkway more vulnerable than larger supermarkets. Joe’s Parkway—a little different than the average grocery store. Joe Wantulok. owner of Joe's Parkway 30 EVERYDAY LIFE

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McCarthy From Jazz to Jimmy Buffett...With a student body composed of a wide spectrum of backgrounds. from Montana Farm Boy to Eastern City Kid. musical tastes varied widely. Punk. Bluegrass. and Disco all have their loyal fans here in Bozeman. A favorite with most all groups was Montana's own Mission Mountain Wood Band. (Pictured at left) Mission Mountain's popularity was growing in 1979 following their appearance on an ABC Televsion special with pin-up lady Cheryl Ladd. EVERYOAY LIFE 29

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Photo coverage by Long and Crawford EVERYDAY LIFE 31 ) 11V