News
New owners in downtown grocery store
Scott Wagar
11/08/2011
Bernard and Brenda Jassmann, the new owners of Bottineau’s downtown grocery store, started working in the business on Monday morning and will be taking over for Jerry and Karen Sollin, who will be retiring after operating Jerry’s Jack and Jill for 27 years at the location.
The Jassmanns will be calling their grocery store, Bottineau Hometown Market and will hold the same store hours as the Sollins did when they owned the store. The couple will also be holding to same traditions that Sollins offered their customers, which will include a full service grocery store, home deliveries and ordering special items for individuals that they might not have in the store.
“People need to be reassured that the store isn’t broken, so we’re not going to fix it,” Bernard said. “Jerry and Karen have done an excellent and tremendous job with the store and we are coming in not to shake things up, but to make it run smooth like Jerry and Karen have done these past years.”
The grocery store will also stay a Nash Finch store and will be offering the same products that the Sollins sold when it was their business.
Between Bernard and Brenda, the couple has 30 years experience in the grocery business, along with 40 years of retailing between the two of them. Prior to coming to Bottineau, Bernard was employed with Nash Finch in Pierre, S.D.
The Jassmanns are originally from North Dakota. Bernard’s hometown is in Golden Valley, N.D., while Brenda comes from Enderlin, N.D. When the couple learned about Sollins’ decision to sell their business, the Jassmanns made the decision to purchase the store and move back to North Dakota to be closer to their families and experience the state once again.
“Brenda’s family is in Bismarck, my folks are still in Golden Valley and I have a sister in Dickinson.” Bernard said. “And, we are excited to be in Bottineau. The people here are wonderful and have been very supportive of us, which makes us really excited to be part of the community.”
The Sollins stated on Monday that they appreciate all the customers who back them in their business, and encourage their customers to continue to do the same with the Jassmanns.
“We want to say thank you to all our supporters over the years, and I hope they support Bernard and Brenda as much as they supported us,” said Jerry, who also stated that he and Karen plan to continue to live in Bottineau and play a role within the community.
Store hours for Bottineau Hometown Market are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.