The original location of Johnnie’s Super Market was where the current hardware store is in Boulder Creek. John Montanari started the business in 1938.
Emily first worked for Johnny when she was 14 years old, in 1942. Emily continued working at Johnnie’s for Johnny for 24 years and Sam for 37 years, until she passed away in 2015..
Johnny was the owner for 28 years total. 14 years at the former location, then another 15 in its current location. Around 1956, Johnny demolished the hotel that stood on the site from the 1890’s.
John Montanari sold Johnie's in 1967 to Sam. All employees who worked for Johnny stayed on as employees for Sam, including Emily.
Sam purchased the gas station adjacent to the store around 1980. Grand opening of expansion in 1983, doubling retail size of the market. Well received by the community of Boulder Creek, and weekend and summer visitors. Within a week or two of the expansion, there was a surge in new customers, and the customer base was maintained ever since. Every year showed an increase in sales and this dates back to before the remodel back when Sam first purchased the store in 1967.
John Montanari began the tradition of assisting the Boulder Creek fire department by opening up the store, day or night, whenever the fire department required provisions if they had a call. Sam continued this tradition during his 37 years as owner.
Emily kept rain gauges at her home and charted the rain amounts on a daily/yearly basis. Sam sold the business in 2004 to current owner.