Joe’s Market & Shell Gas Station: Where Business Thrives on Family Values
When you walk into Joe’s Market & Shell Gas Station, you will find an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming like family Joe’s Market & Shell Gas Station has been family-owned for decades and is now operated by CJ Singh One of the managers, Mariann reminisced back to when it was just called “Food Mart” and lovingly remembers that CJ decided to do a big remodel and rename the location “Joe’s Market” in honor of his late father, [Joe Singh].
Mariann has worked for Joe’s Market for four years. Mariann has two daughters: one is grown up and out of the house; and the other daughter is 15. She also looks after her 83-year-old mother all by herself. Between taking care of the family and [taking care of the business], it sounds busy, but Mariann doesn’t feel worried. She effused that she has felt very supported by both her employer and the entire staff.
Mariann said, “I know that if there’s ever like an emergency at home with one of my kids or my mom…or anything at all…I just have to call. CJ is an incredibly supportive boss. He’s probably one of the best people I’ve ever worked for… And that’s saying a lot. I feel like he genuinely cares about us as people and honestly, he just genuinely cares about this store This store is in his blood, I guess ”
Not only does Mariann have family in the area but, right at Joe’s Market, she works alongside her niece Ashley After meeting Mariann, we spoke with Ashley about the newest addition to Joe’s Market: serving Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, by the scoop, from the pails in their glass-top freezer Locally made Olympic Mountain Ice Cream offers an awesome variety of flavors And there are definitely some fan favorites! Ashley recounted the top selling flavors as whiskey praline, huckleberry swirl, and Kentucky pie.
We literally got the inside scoop as Ashley gave us the rundown on the upcoming flavors: joining whiskey praline and Kentucky pie are peach cobbler, huckleberry cheesecake, and a passion fruit orange guava sorbet
Besides the ice cream, Ashley finds the work-life balance to be quite sweet as well She remarked, “It works out really great around here, because we’re all moms so we’re all in the same boat ” Ashley has two teenagers and a toddler at home that keep her active but happy She is a local who knows a lot of the locals who come through Joe’s Market and Shell Gas Station, “It pretty much is a family Our other nighttime girl, I grew up with her. The guy that works at nights? I was best friends with his sister in elementary school. Mariann has been here since I started.” Ashley plans to get her family through school and then ponder her own hopes and dreams after that. Right now, she’s just determined to provide for her family and have a good time along the way: “It’s fun. We never have a dull moment in this place. We have lots of regulars.”
Joe’s Market is a hometown fixture. It’s clear that this local gem is more than just a place to fuel up and grab a snack. Under CJ’s leadership, the business has continued to thrive and much of that has to do with the amazing team that minds the store. In a time when community connections are crucial, CJ’s dedication to uplifting local people and innovating in his operations is a shining example of how businesses can make a positive impact on their neighborhoods.
