New owners at iconic Village Mart in Inkom are keeping the nostalgia and small town charm alive
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INKOM – For 55 years, the Village Mart has been a cornerstone of the Inkom community. On the main drag of town, it’s the go-to stop for Pebble Creek skiers grabbing drinks and snacks and a convenient store for locals needing fuel, quick groceries or a bite from the deli.
Now, under the new ownership of Inkom residents Amy and Aaron Hemsley — who took the reins from longtime owner Carl Hull — the Village Mart is starting a new chapter.
Aaron, who is from McCammon, grew up going to the Village Mart. “When we (he and his wife Amy) saw it was for sale, we didn’t want someone out of the area to buy it. We didn’t want it to lose its small-town charm,” he said.
In August, the couple made the bold decision to purchase the store. Since then, they’ve dedicated every spare moment to juggling their full-time careers and working at the store. Aaron works as a catastrophic insurance adjuster, while Amy is a nurse at PMC, and both have brought their passion, energy, and commitment to their new venture.
“We’re crazy! We decided we both needed another full-time job,” Aaron joked.
The Hemsleys have cleared out a good portion of the grocery section to create a new seating area. They’ve installed a new state-of-the-art oven for freshly baked biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pizza, burgers, hot sandwiches and breakfast items. Plus, they’ve added a new beverage counter and coffee machines featuring Idaho’s Treasure Valley coffee.
Additionally, they’re offering “Made in Idaho” products and showcasing local photography, with photos of Pebble Creek, the railroad, and other area landmarks.
“We’ve scaled back our grocery inventory to avoid competing with Bisharat’s Market — they’re doing an excellent job,” said Amy. “Our focus is on the skiers, hunters, construction workers, and travelers looking for fuel, food and drinks.”
“Of course, we’re also here for our local community. Now, there’s a place where they can sit and enjoy fresh, made-to-order food or grab-and-go.”
With the addition of much-needed, high-tech Sinclair fuel pumps and updated cooking equipment, the Hemsleys are blending the new with the old. They’re preserving things like the old payphone outside the front of the store while maintaining the friendly small-town service that has long defined the Village Mart.
“The pay phone is staying. Even though it doesn’t work, it’s a great conversation piece,” said Amy.
The Village Mart was originally a house, although it’s unknown when it was initially built. Based on the recollection of past and present Inkom residents, there have been at least six previous owners before the Hemsleys.
Former Inkom resident Ron Helmandollar, who now lives in Pocatello, was the first owner. He bought the house from TI Richardson in 1969. “He [Ron] built the Village Mart with the help of his brother-in-laws, David Wright and Richard Stevenson. Also, Oscar Noreen was a great deal of help,” Ron’s wife, Jackie Helmandollar, said.
The Helmandollars operated the business for about four years before selling it to Stan and Mary Jane Jensen. The Jensens ran it for a few years before selling it to Roy Brown from Soda Springs in 1975. Ken and Roberta Payne purchased the store from Brown in 1979 and managed it until 1997, when they sold it to Carl Hull.
Shawna Lyn shared on Facebook that her grandparents, Albert and Marie Root, also once owned the Village Mart, though she’s uncertain of the exact time period.
The Hemsleys said it’s important to preserve the decades of memories that so many people have. “Anyone with ties to Inkom has memories of the Village Mart. We hear stories every day,” said Amy.
Kim (Thompson) Benson, who lived up Rapid Creek Road in Inkom in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has fond memories of going to the Village Mart with her best friend Lisa after high school and getting Betty Crocker’s ‘Ready to Spread’ Frosting. The teens would get spoons and eat it straight out of the tub.
Sisters Marie Martin and Brittney Romriell grew up in Inkom during the 1990s and have fond memories of getting Slush Puppies, chicken strips, chicken gizzards, and penny candy there. “We’d get Slush Puppies to drink on the way to visit our grandparents on Marsh Creek,” said Martin.
The Hemsleys are excited to keep the Village Mart a local favorite and create more memories for both locals and visitors.
“We have plans to put an outdoor picnic area in this summer. Great things are coming. There’s going to be a lot of improvements,” said Aaron.
As the Hemsleys take the Village Mart into a new era, they’re looking for kitchen staff and cashiers to join their team, offering competitive pay and flexible scheduling. Interested candidates can send their resumes to thevillagemartidaho@gmail.com.
For the latest updates on the Village Mart, follow their Facebook page here.
