Three generations of the Bolerjack family have worked for Town and Country Supermarkets since the company started in 1962, starting with the original store in Salem. Father and son, Tommy and Shawn Bolerjack, both work for the company to this day. Tommy is celebrating his 50th anniversary with the company. He said the family trend started with his father, Tom Bolerjack.
“My dad and (store founder) Wayne Gott went to high school together in Ava,” says Tommy. “In the late ‘50s, Dad was cutting meat for Wayne’s sister and her husband in their store in Branson. He did that for two or three years, and then Wayne opened the #1 store here in Salem. He got ahold of my dad, and wanted my dad to cut meat for him. So, we all moved to Salem. I was probably close to five years old.”
The first store was located in the Crossroads Shopping Center.
Said Tommy, “Dad cut meat first, then he became the manager of the store. Then Wayne opened up the #2 store (across from present day Country Mart), and dad went down there and managed that store.”
It was in Salem that Tommy got his start with the company, sorting the empty soda bottles.
“I was probably about 13 years old, and my dad wanted me to run soda bottles, at that time,” he said. “If you can remember that; you bought your sodas, you get a soda bottle, take your empties back, and get a deposit on it. So that’s what I did. Dad paid me out of his own pocket, and I did that probably for a couple of years. We lived in town at the time. I’d get out of school, ride my bike down to the store, and run soda bottles almost every day. When I was 15, Wayne came up to me, it was on a Saturday, I remember that. I was taking a shopping cart full of empty soda bottles to the back, where I sorted the bottles at. Wayne says ‘Tommy, you want a job here?’ and I said ‘Wayne, I’ve already got a job here doing soda bottles,’ and he just started laughing.”
Tommy accepted the offer and began working as a stockboy at the store.
“That pretty much started my career, working for Town and Country,” said Tommy. “My dad put good work ethics in me.”
Tommy worked in the position until he was 17, when he would start the role he’s played with the company for almost 50 years.
“When I was 17, they had an opening back in the meat department. Dad says, ‘You want to work back in the meat department?’ I said yes. I was kind of following his footsteps in a way, that’s what he started out doing was cutting meat. So, I went back there my junior year in high school. After I graduated in ’76, Wayne had a Town and Country store in Bunker, and he asked me if I wanted to run the meat shop down there, and I said ‘yeah, I’ll do that’,” said Tommy.
He worked there for three years, running the meat shop in Bunker, before moving back to Salem. He worked at the #1 store as a meat cutter for 10 years, until Country Mart was opened in Salem in 1989. Tommy transferred to the new store.
“The guy that trained me how to cut meat, he was the head guy here. He retired, and I took over in 2009 as the meat market manager. Still at it!” Tommy said.
Shawn, also an alderman with the City of Salem, said he has worked for the company since 2009. He got his start when he was 16, stocking shelves and bagging groceries.
“I knew I wanted to start in the grocery business because my dad and grandpa both worked here. I didn’t realize I’d be in it as long as I have been to make it my career,” said Shawn.
“I worked in the Salem store for a little over four years, and then worked in the company’s IT department. Now, I do pricing and marketing supporting the company’s 31 locations in Missouri and Arkansas,” said Shawn.
Tom, Tommy and Shawn aren’t the only Bolerjacks that have ties to Town and Country, said Tommy. He said the Bolerjack and Gott families were close.
“We grew up with the Gotts, Wayne was our youth director when we were at church at First Baptist,” said Tommy. “Five of my six siblings all worked for Town and Country. My mom even did, she was a meat wrapper, and she worked in the bakery/deli department. Beverly, Donna and David worked at the #1 store. When Dad went to manage the Cabool store, Mike and John worked there.
“The Gotts have been good to me, and I enjoy what I do. I love my job; I love cutting meat. Sometimes it’s hectic, but what job isn’t? To me, it’s always just been a family atmosphere, because like I said, I’ve been with the Gotts all my life. It’s not the same old thing every day, something’s always different as far as work.”
Shawn echoed the sentiment.
“I think with him being with the company for 50 years, and then with me being here for 14 years now, it speaks a lot to how the Gott and (new owner) Polizzi families treat their employees. They’ve been really good to us,” said Shawn.
When asked if he thought he would be with Town and Country as long as Tommy, Shawn said it’s a possibility.
“It’s looking like that,” Shawn laughed. “I don’t have any plans to go elsewhere, I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. I see myself being here for a long time.”
After 50 years with the company, Tommy said he feels like he might be getting close to retirement, but he’s not sure when.
“I don’t know exactly when, but you know, one of these days. I’m at the point where I’m about ready. Ready to get out and enjoy life and do what I love doing. Camping, fishing, hunting, all that kind of stuff,” said Tommy.
Father and son shared words of support and encouragement. The pride they each take in the accomplishments of the other is self-evident.
“I’m incredibly proud of his accomplishments. 50 years is a huge achievement. My dad has a strong work ethic and has set a good example for me,” said Shawn.
“I’m proud of this guy,” said Tommy. “What he’s become, doing what he’s doing now. Everything that he gets involved with in this community, being an alderman, it just amazes me. I never thought this little boy of mine would grow up to do what he’s doing. I’m just so proud of him, I really am. Makes me feel like I did the right thing raising him.”
President and CEO Joe Polizzi had words of congratulations to share with Tommy as well.
“We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate Tommy Bolerjack’s 50 years with Town & Country Supermarket and Country Mart,” said Polizzi. “Tommy has been a model employee, as well as a mentor and friend to many. We truly appreciate all of his contributions over the years and it is an honor to have him as part of the Town & Country Family. All of us and Town & Country congratulate Tommy on his wonderful achievement.”
When asked what advice he had for those wanting to build a 50-year career, Tommy said to enjoy what you do, and stick with it.
“Enjoy what you do. Enjoy, and get along with the people, (and) your superiors. If you’ve got a good relationship with them, which I always have, you can do 50 years. You’ve got to love your job. If you don’t like what you’re doing, you’re not going to stick with it. You’re going to find something else,” he said.
