Residents of west Bozeman, Montana now have an additional grocery option with the opening of the new Town & Country store. Part of an eight-store banner, the store officially opened its doors on Monday April 14.
According to Travis Frandsen, president of TNC Foods, the store boasts approximately 35,000 square feet, making it the largest Town & Country (TNC) location. The previous TNC on 19th Avenue, which closed on March 30, was approximately 25,000 square feet.
The new store offers a more spacious feel and an accessible parking lot with around 200 spaces. With approximately 100 to 110 employees running the store, around 60 employees from the 19th Avenue store transferred to work at the new location.
Monday marked the store’s “soft opening.” While fully operational, no celebratory events were held to allow employees a smoother transition during the initial opening phase.
The store is still in the process of adding products and décor and an official grand-opening event, featuring giveaways and discounts, is expected to take place sometime in July.
Frandsen highlighted how the new store reflects changing consumer preferences, with an updated focus on fresh foods to align with modern shopping habits.
The store’s location in west Bozeman underscores the city’s growth over the years. Originally built in the 1970s, the 19th Avenue location catered to a different consumer landscape. With west Bozeman experiencing substantial growth and development, TNC emphasized the strategic significance of expanding in this direction.
Town & Country initially acquired the land for the new store in January 2019.
Town & Country has a rich history. In 1966 Andrew (Andy) Perlinski, the son of a grocer, followed in his father’s footsteps and started Town & Country Foods in Livingston, Montana. Andy opened a second Town & Country in Bozeman a year later. In 1970 a new store was built on North 19th Avenue to replace the original two stores. This grocery store continues to serve the southwest Montana communities.
Andy’s sons, Jerry and Jim, purchased the family business from their father and mother, Bernice in 1986. In 1988 Town & Country Foods formed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and the ESOP purchased Jim’s interest in Town & Country Foods.
Town & Country Foods expanded in 2007 by opening a grocery store in Livingston. A third Town & Country Foods store, located in Bozeman at 1611 South 11th Avenue opened in March 2010. Town & Country opened a location in Belgrade in October of 2015, Dillon in June 2019, Lewistown in June 2020, Billings in August 2021, and opened a third Bozeman location January 2022.
In 2013 the ESOP purchased Jerry Perlinski’s interest in Town & Country Foods and is now 100 percent employee owned.
Town & Country Foods is proud of its tradition of providing excellent customer service and quality groceries at affordable prices.