Remember Disco, acid washed and severely bleached and ripped jeans, Hawaiian shirts, leather jackets, big and eccentric hair styles? Well dig out those Disco duds, fluff up the hair, and move on down to Parsons Shop ‘n Save on Saturday, Jan. 18 to help celebrate their 25th anniversary in Parsons. As part of the anniversary celebration there will be a dance floor set up at the front of the store and a DJ will provide 80’s music for your listening and dancing pleasure.
Craig and Cindy Phillips officially opened the store, on Main Street, 26 years ago with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 24, 1988. The 11,000 square foot store featured “wide, well-lit aisles and attractively displayed food items that will give our customers shopping concenience along with personal service supplied by our employees.” Phillips said at the 1988 opening. An ad in the Jan. 20, 1988 issue of The Parsons Advocate, says “The store will offer you 1000s of everyday low prices, 100s of weekly specials, double coupons up to 49¢ everyday, convenient shopping hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, plus a fresh in-store bakery, a deli, a meat and produce department that is unbeatable.”
When the store opened in ’88 there were 21 employees, today that number has risen to 34 at the Parsons store.
In the early 1990s the store was expanded from the original 11,000 sq ft. and the deli and bakery were moved to the front of the building to better serve the customers. The office was moved, as well, and a tobacco/smoking supply area was added. In 2000 all the freezers and coolers were replaced.
There have many employees and different mangers over the years. Beverly White, of Parsons, started when the store opened as a cashier, today she is still with the company serving the role of office manager. Bev, as she is known by the customers, is one of the first faces you see as you enter the store. “I am grateful they gave me a chance by giving me a job and I am thankful for everything I have learned.” White said.
Roger Losh has been the store manager for 12 years. Losh said “We give thanks to the community for having us and supporting us. Craig employees over 400 people. Between the Parsons and Davis stores there are approximately 70 employees.”
Phillips’ daughter, Cheri Doss, who works for the company, said “We will be having many in-store specials including coupons for $2 off on a $25 purchase or $5 off a $50 purchase, excluding alcohol and tobacco purchases.” These coupons are good for Saturday only at the Parsons store. “We thank our employees and customers for their dedication to Shop ‘n Save. We have new things planned for our customers, in the near future we will be relocating the Parsons store with a brand new facility.”