Jensen’s Department Store serves area for 100 years

Jensen’s Department Store has been a community icon in Sanpete County for nearly 100 years. Gail Jensen, John’s grandfather, founded the store and at one time three generations worked at the store at the same time. John’s father, Bob, continued on after Gail’s death. This 1948 photo shows what the store looked like during that time.

Jensen’s Department Store, Manti, as it is seen today. The face of business has seen some drastic changes over the years. Years ago, one clerk waited on one customer at a time showing the merchandise for sale. Today, John Jensen is the owner of the store that has been in his family for three generations. (Photos courtesy of John Jensen)

Jensen’s Department Store serves community for nearly 100 years

BY CHRISTI BABBITT

For 96 years, there’s been a Jensen’s Department Store operating on Manti’s Main Street.

Challenges have come in the form of big box stores opening in the county and the advent of online shopping, but the store — where children, parents and grandparents have shopped for decades — is still offering clothing and other items for sale to local residents.

“It helps the community, and I like doing it,” said John Jensen, who owns the store along with his wife Kay.

The store was started by Jensen’s grandfather Gail Jensen in a building that was formerly a hotel. It began as a grocery store in just a third of the space the store now occupies.

Later, Gail purchased more space and put in a piece goods store. Eventually, he bought a third and  nal part, remodeled and opened the store in the space it occupies today. At that time, Gail made the business into a department store offering only dry goods.

In earlier days, the store did a brisk business, said Jensen, who remembers sweeping  oors at the store while he was in junior high school. After graduating from high school and attending college for a year, Jensen returned to the store and has been working there ever since.

Jensen, his father and his grandfather all worked full-time at the store along with two clerks. Eventually, Jensen’s father took over the business, and later it was passed on to John.

The store currently offers women’s clothing and dresses as well as shirts and pants for men, including Levi and Wrangler brands. There are also shoes for all ages.

Only Jensen and part-time workers staff the store these days, and Jensen said he can see a decline in business due to shoppers turning to Amazon. However, he said he still feels his store has the support of the community.

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