Public Story
Hickman IGA: Serving community since 1959
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Hickman IGA waits for its final customers of the day to finish their grocery shopping on December 5, 2022 in Perry, Mo. Perry has a population of a little over 650 people. Hickman IGA is the only grocery store in Ralls County, with the next nearest grocery store being thirty minutes away.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Jordan Branstetter logs into his computer on May 10, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. His screen saver is a photo of Branstetter’s wife, Megan, and his two children, Brooks, 2, and Bennett, 1.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Jordan Branstetter leans down to talk to his son Brooks, 2, on December 4, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. With both parents working at the store full-time, Brooks comes around often. "Brooks likes to come and bring his ball and throw the ball in the aisle," said Branstetter.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
A clock with a painting of the Hickman IGA store hangs in the store’s office on December 5, 2022 in Perry, Mo. The clock was left behind by the store’s previous owners, the three Hickman IGA brothers. The Hickman brothers owned IGA stores throughout Mid-Missouri but started selling them off as they reached retirement age. The brothers officially sold to the Branstetters in July 2021.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Mother and daughter, Jo Hoyt, left, and Rhonda Long shop for their weekly groceries on May 10, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. Long is a longtime resident of Perry and said she can't remember a time without the grocery store.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
A row of IGA brand green bean cans are stacked high on December 5, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. While uncommon in most grocery stores nowadays, the IGA brand was founded in 1926 and was a staple of many households.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Jordan Branstetter helps Carol Wieberg reach frozen food on May 10, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. Branstetter cultivates a family atmosphere that has been a signature mark of Hickman IGA. “Everybody is family, even our customers,” said Branstetter, “you know, they come in, and if they’re having a bad day, we’re having a bad day.”
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Barbara Manes, right, stops to pet Diane Wandry’s dog, the widow of former Hickman IGA co-owner Don Hickman, while shopping for ingredients to make a green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. Manes lives alone in Perry, as her husband passed, and her sons all live an hour away or further.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Tom Bunge stacks meat on December 5, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. Branstetter will try to pass a deal onto the customer whenever he gets a chance, especially for meat. "We're not making a huge margin on that, but if we can help the community, that's what we're here for," said Branstetter.
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Jordan Branstetter and Tom Bunge go over inventory on December 5, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. Branstetter said that fuel prices have skyrocketed since the war in Ukraine started, which causes his delivery prices to go up. “Times are really tough now,” said Branstetter, “and it’s not just tough for individuals. It’s tough for businesses.”
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Yellow-painted footprints line the back of the grocery store on December 5, 2022 at Hickman IGA in Perry, Mo. Branstetter's grandfather owned grocery stores throughout Missouri, which taught him the industry. "We want everybody to feel like we're part of a family," said Branstetter, "that was kind of like my grandpa with our store."
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© 2024 Eileen Wisniowicz
Barb Branstetter comes through the back door of Hickman IGA on December 5, 2022 in Perry, Mo. Branstetter said that she was anxious when her son, Jordan, first told her he was buying the store. Barb said her parents owned a grocery store, and she has memories of them being "married to it." Since then, Barb has come around to the idea and even helps out around the store.
