If you’ve been into the former Thomas Market lately, then you’re surely aware that there is a lot of activity inside and out.  Broulim’s officially took over operations on June 1, and the company is beginning a remodeling and expansion process that is intended to bring even more product and convenience to local shoppers.  As of Tuesday’s presstime, the sign out front was still absent, other than the street sign reading “Thomas Market”.  The full expansion process will continue into the foreseeable future, but the major elements of the rebranding should be in  place soon.  Broulim’s representatives did not yet have a firm date for a Grand Opening event, but we will let you know when they do.  

What’s going to take a lot longer, of course, is for people to start calling it Broulim’s, rather than “the old Thomas Market.”  Good luck with that!

A Thomas family gathering took place on May 31 at the Dude Ranch, organized by Ned Thomas, Jerry’s uncle.  All of the surviving children of Stan and Erma Thomas, the founders of Stan’s IGA in 1948, were there:  Ann Thomas Ward, Tim Thomas, Connie Thomas Albrechtsen, and Ned Thomas.  An additional 50 members of the extended family were there to wish Jerry and his mother Brenda a happy retirement.

Ann Thomas Ward presented Jerry with a painted wooden box dating back to the early 1950s when grocers were delivered to the store (then Stan’s IGA) in wooden boxes, not cardboard boxes. Jerry’s dad, Dennis, kept toys, including a big collection of marbles, in the box.

Uncle Ned read “Ode to Thomas Market,” which brought back a lot of memories.

It’s unlikely that most people in town don’t have some memory of Thomas Market, and it’s always bittersweet to bid farewell to such a central icon of the town.  The Broulim’s team was given a warm welcome by the Thomases, though, and we’ll hope to form good memories with them over the coming years as well!