Wallace supermarket to change ownership

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This unchanged article ran on the front page of the Feb. 2, 1979, edition of The North Idaho Press. If you remember this story, or other BLAST FROM THE PAST articles, let us know by writing us or commenting online.

WALLACE — John Hansen and Barry Breazeal will combine more than 30 years of grocery experience when they take over a Wallace supermarket next week.

Hansen and Breazeal have purchased Frank’s Food Way.

They Will take over operation next Thursday following a Wednesday night inventory of goods.

The two men purchased the store from Frank Jamison, who acquired it in 1974 from McKelvey-Gardner. It was formerly McKelvey IGA store.

Scott Jamison managed the store.

The Jamisons have has several stores in Washington and another at Lewiston. They will continue to operate the home store in Spokane, Frank said.

The Wallace store will be known as JB’s Food Center.

Hansen will be store manager and Breazeal meat-market manager.

They already have names Greg Adams grocery manager and Marvin Neuberger produce manager.

“We are looking forward to the new venture,” Hansen said. “ We want people to come in and get acquainted. We hope we can develop a relationship with good people working for us to provide the services the people desire.”

Hansen said the partnership has no plans for extensive remodeling of the store, but there will be changes in the location of the foods. The store also will have a wider variety of selections in all lines of foods, he said.

Breazeal said the JB meat market will offer the best butcher service possible and will encourage specialty orders.

Hansen said the same will be true in all types of food.

“We want every department to be a ‘super’ department,” he said. “We’ll handle any orders or any problems.”

“The two men have been working on the purchase for about 4 months, slowed by state ownership of the property. Hansen said freeway construction could take away some parking space during the construction phase, but it would not be enough to hurt the business.

JB’s has a 5 year lease on the property.

Hansen has been an accountant for Day Mines in Wallace for the past 2 years. He spent 9 years as grocery manager and assistant store manager for Pik Kwik Supermarket in Kellogg and was assistant store manager for a Safeway market in Oregon.

Breazel was at Pik Kwik for 20 years and managed the meat market there for 8 years.

Adams, too, was employed by Pik Kwik for 3 years. Neuberger was employed by local business for the past 9 years.

Hansen, Breazeal and Adams are Silver Valley natives. Neuberger came here from Bismarck, N.D., in 1957.

All are married and have children. Hansen has three, Breazeal and Neuberger two and Adams one, with another due soon.

Adams’ wife is the only one not now employed here in the valley, Hansen said.