Clark's closes its doors

It is with sadness that Brent Clark, owner of Clark’s Food Mart, announced he will be closing his grocery store, a business he has owned and operated here since 1999. This week’s back page of The Ogden Reporter formally announces his decision.

Brent explained that this has not been an easy decision. “We have explored several options without success, and a lot of tears have been shed.”

“Having not been able to find a buyer for the store, and in order to spend more time with family and to focus on my health as Sherry and I near retirement, we have chosen to close our doors.”

Effective Wednesday, Oct. 17 they will begin closing at 7 p.m. daily as they continue to sell off the inventory.

Brent started working at Harlan’s Food Mart Feb. 1, 1986, then purchased the store Nov. 1, 1999.

All four of his children - Travis, Adam, Tara and Rumor -  worked at the store during high school and college. 

The biggest challenge he says he faced during his years as a grocery store owner/manager, was replacing the cash registers with computers and going to scanning items instead of manually typing in the price. That was in the early nineties. 

His biggest regret he admits, is not replacing the Video Place space with a sit-down deli or sandwich shop when the Video  Place was phased out.

Speaking of the video section, Deli Manager Toni Berns was first hired to work the video department and help check. She was fresh out of high school. Berns later took a job at a local bank, then when her position was eliminated, Brent invited her back. That was 10 years ago. 

“I was always pleased to be part of a hometown store and to serve the community,” she said. “I am so hoping we can continue a grocery store in the future.”

Jim Pharaoh could share thousands of stories from over the years, having worked at the local store since the summer of 1980 as a sophomore in high school. Starting out as a carry-out boy who helped with stocking shelves, Pharaoh eventually took on more duties. In 2003 he was trained as a meat cutter and now manages the meat department.

Rerad more in the Oct.17 issue of The Ogden Reporter.