TOWNSEND – After serving the Townsend community for 44 years, the Janesch family has announced that Mike’s Supermarket, located at 17887 State Highway 32 in Townsend, will close and the building will be sold.
Mike Janesch’s dream of owning a grocery store became a reality in June 1982 after he had worked for Kohl’s Food since the age of 16. Mike and his wife, Marge, operated the Townsend store together while raising their two sons, John and Steve.
In 1997, Steve and his wife, Shelly, returned to continue the family business. They also raised their sons, Clay and Carter, around the store, where both still help whenever they can.
Throughout the years, members of the Janesch family worked alongside relatives, friends and employees while handling the many responsibilities of operating a small-town grocery store. Their days included ordering and stocking merchandise, scheduling employees, preparing advertisements, paying bills, hiring and training staff, and dealing with equipment breakdowns and internet outages.
The work brought long days, sleepless nights, quiet moments and periods of sheer chaos, but it also created plenty of laughter, treasured memories and lasting friendships.
The family said the decision to close was not an easy one. Their lives were built around the daily demands of Mike’s Supermarket, often requiring shortened vacations, missed family outings and less time with loved ones.
After operating the store for the past 29 years, Steve and Shelly said the time has come to find a better balance between work, family and friends. Following five years of trying to sell the business, the family has decided to dissolve the grocery store and sell the building.
Although the closing brings sadness, the Janesch family remains grateful for the friendships, employees and community support that made the past 44 years so meaningful. They also expressed excitement about what the future may hold for themselves and the building that has housed the longtime community business.
The family thanked its customers and the Townsend community for their support and encouraged everyone to visit Mike’s Supermarket during its final months.
Photo Credit: Mike’s Supermarket
Published on: Sep 9, 2026 at 7:26 am