Last week, Walt Churchill from Perrysburg in Ohio celebrated his 93rd birthday. It is an extraordinary event to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of someone, but the Perrysburg community and Maumee also recognize the fundamental consistency Walt Churchill brought to their community by his involvement in neighborhood markets.
In much of America, stores like Churchill’s Market are a dying breed, being replaced by conglomerate corporate chains from Target and Walmart, to Kroger and Jewel/Osco. The COVID pandemic with its categorization of “essential” and non-essential businesses put the final nail in the coffin of many local stores.
But Churchill’s Market, first founded in 1917, has weathered the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, and was more than able to weather this one.
This is why Walt Churchill’s markets and Walt Churchill are both worthy of Feel-Good Friday stories.
PERRYSBURG, Ohio (WTVG) – A local man whose family has been a cornerstone of the community for decades celebrated a special birthday this week.
Walt Churchill Jr. reached 93 years old. His customers, friends and colleagues were invited to share in the cake-and-chat at Perrysburg’s and Maumee shops. The cake was made by Cynthia Younce, who will mark 41 years working at Churchill’s this year.
“He doesn’t have to come in his store, but Walt is here every day; talks to his customers, listens to what they want, gets products in that they would like,” she said of the man who she calls a friend.
Churchill’s Market has poured into and supported the community first through employment. Many of Walt Churchill’s employees are decades-long and multi-generational, with children and grandchildren coming to work for the store.
“I first met Walt, Jr. in December of 1965. He was a part of a group of grocers starting a new program at Penta County College at that time,” Mr. Keller recalled.
The company has been run by two of the couple’s children, and one grandchild.
The man who is named on the sign shows this kind of dedication. Churchill doesn’t take the compliments seriously, but he does credit a simple formula for his success, and long-lasting relationships.
“I just like people and food. And we’re always up front with the customer,” said Churchill.
The market also supports communities by sourcing locally from growers and producers of Northwest Ohio, which is not easy in the Midwest.
Walt Churchill is a testimony to the strength and value of elders when shaping our societies and world. Churchill’s Market is a testament to the power of small business in infusing life, progress, and stability in the same.
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