Groceries were 40-per-cent cheaper in 1998, with a litre of milk costing $2, eggs $2.50 a dozen, butter $4.25, potatoes $2.75 for a five-pound bag and bacon $4.
That was also the year when Jill Hohner took over operations of the Village of Eyebrow’s grocery store and continued offering inexpensive items for residents in the community — located an hour northwest of Moose Jaw — and surrounding areas.
To honour that 25 years of ownership, Hohner held a day-long celebration at Hohner’s General Store on April 21 featuring big cookies, a chance to win 25 per cent off groceries, some products at 1998 prices and opportunities to win a house, a car and $250,000.
That “house” was actually a birdhouse, while the car was a die-cast model and the $250,000 was a lottery ticket.
Hohner said it was humbling that people have supported her store for the past quarter-century.
“I appreciate the customers I do have. I have lots of good memories from when I first got here. And of course, I’m thanking my mom and dad, who have both passed away,” she said.
Hohner had been living in Ontario 25 years ago, managing a store there, when her parents asked her to move to Saskatchewan to take over the grocery shop, she explained. The general store’s owner was leaving “no matter what,” and if he left, the store would close. So, her parents bought the store and asked her to run it.
Hohner’s mother Thelma was born in Tugaske and her father Lloyd was born in Brownlee, and as youths, they moved to Ontario with their respective families. Lloyd became friends with Thelma brother, which is how the two met.
The couple later moved to Eyebrow after his mother died and left the house to them. They lived in the village for 11 years before Jill moved there. The move was good for her since she was missing her siblings, who were already living in Eyebrow.
Hohner just turned 60 and planned to operate the store for another five years. She doesn’t know what will happen with the business once she retires, but she’ll put it up for sale “and see if there’s anyone else who’s foolish enough” to purchase it.
One change in the grocery market that Hohner has seen during the past 25 years is food is 40-per-cent more expensive now than in 1998. Another change is that the general store sells fewer items today because more people purchase groceries in the city.
Yet, even with fewer people buying from her, Hohner knows most of the community is thankful for the store.
Resident Kathy Russell is one of those thankful people. She noted that at most community or school events, Hohner donates food items to ensure the success of those activities.
“It’s kind of a centre for the community. She probably hears a lot of people’s concerns and issues,” said Russell. “She meets her customers on a really personal level (and knows their names).”
Hohner pointed to one wall, which featured the names of 51 people and eight businesses or clubs that have supported the store during the past 25 years as an employee, repairmen, or student interns. She created that display to honour those people and their contributions.
“Those are the people who have physically chipped in (and) not just spent their money here,” Hohner laughed. “So, it’s not just me that runs the store. It takes a community.”
