About Us

County Fair Food Store has evolved from a long, progressive history and continually seeks to grow and prosper. From 1940, when James and Myrtle Clarke opened Jim's Foods, to today, with four County Fair Food Stores in two states and approximately 350 associates, new sites for County Fair Food Stores will continue to be researched. Currently, the founding family owns and operates a total of fifteen food stores in Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Kansas and Iowa.

County Fair Food Store believes in the philosophy, 'When a community gives to you, you need to give back to your community,' so they support a variety of charities, projects, and causes, including United Way, Grocer's Fight Cancer, Junior Achievement, Youth Soccer, Hockey, Baseball, and scholarships for their young associates. According to John Clarke, company president, "The growth of County Fair is a tribute to the men and women who have helped make County Fair Food Stores the high quality, exemplary service retail establishments they are today. At County Fair, we feel that our most important asset is our people. People make companies successful. We feel that a good group of people working as a team is the secret to our success."

History

1940
James and Myrtle Clark open Jim's Foods, providing fresh groceries, meats and market products to the people of Central City, Nebraska

1974
After graduating from the University of Nebraska, John Clarke, son of James and Myrtle Clarke and President of County Fair Food Stores, joins two of his brothers in the grocery business

1979
A new Jim's Foods is built in Central City, Nebraska, three times the size of the previous one

1984
Bennett's Market of Mitchell, South Dakota is purchased to become the first County Fair Food Store

1989
County Fair Food Store of Watertown, SD is established, and Mr. Jeff Gamber joins John Clarke as partner/manager of the Watertown operation

1993
County Fair Food Store of Watertown is expanded by over 65%

1996
Jim Stewart joins County Fair as the Store manager in Mitchell

2003
County Fair Food Store of Mitchell undergoes its fifth addition, bringing the total square footage to 38,000

2006
County Fair food and Fuel opens in Mitchell

5/8/1945
V-E Day Celebrated

7/16/1951
Catcher in the Rye by J.C. Salinger released.

7/17/1955
Disneyland Opens

1960
The Icee is invented by Kansas Dairy Queen owner

10/28/1965
St. Louis Gateway Arch completed

6/12/1987
Ronald Reagan says, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

1997
Tiger Woods wins his first Major

1993
County Fair Food Store of Mitchell more than doubles its original selling space

1998
County Fair Food Store of Dell Rapids is purchased

2003
The fourth Country Fair Food Store is added with the purchase of County Market in Marshall, Minnesota

2/9/1942
Daylight Savings Time instituted

10/14/1947
Chuck Yeager breaks the Sound Barrier

3/9/1959
Barbie makes debut

3/5/1963
Hula Hoop is patented

7/20/1969
Armstrong walks on the moon

9/11/1972
Mark Spitz wins record 7 Olympic Gold Medals

5/25/1977
Star Wars Opens

5/18/1980
Mt. St. Helens Erupts

10/19/1985
The first Blockbuster opens

7/31/1990
Nolan Ryan wins 300th Game

2/23/1995
Dow Jones closes above 4,000 for the first time

2/25/2005
YouTube is launched