Webbs' Empire Foods will mark 50th year

Webbs’ Empire Foods will mark its 50th year of operation Saturday at St. John. The store has been at the same location since October of 1968 when the late Bruce Webb and his wife, Marilyn, opened it for operation.

The store opened after Bruce Webb and his cousin, Dale Stover, operated the former Red & White store in a wooden structure across Front Street.

They started in business in 1956.

Stover went to work for St. John Grain Growers, and the Webb couple opened their new store 50 years ago in the then-vacant fraternity building.

Bruce died in January of 1990, and Mike Webb, their oldest son who had filled in during his father’s illness, joined his mother in the store’s operation.

Mike had worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker before making the career switch.

Webbs’ store operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week and from 8 to 4 on Saturdays. Stocking, inventory and maintenance can stretch the work days far past the closing time.

The Webbs plan to mark the 50th by hosting a hot dog barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. They will also have drawings for prizes.

Besides Mike, Marilyn has four other children, with three residing with their families in St. John. The Webb children spent most of their childhood time at the store and helped out as they became older.

Mark Webb now operates a jewelry business in Spokane.

Cheryl Webb is married to Jim VanLith, the HUB insurance agent at St. John, and Cathy Webb married Bill Parrish who is an industrial equipment representative. Both Cheryl and Cathy work at St. John Telephone.

Matt Webb and wife Amanda operate Webb’s Slough at St. John.

Marilyn Webb has 13 grandchildren and some of them are now putting in work stints at the store.