09/25/2026
In their teens and 20s, Tony Walen and Johnnie Hirko worked in local food stores, both dreaming of owning one someday. On October 27, 1937, they opened The Corner Market at Front and Cooper (now Alders) Streets—and never looked back. From the start, they believed fair dealings and quality goods at reasonable prices would bring success, their growing patronage proved them right.
In March 1947 they closed The Corner Market and, one week later and one block north, opened Tony & Johnnie’s Food Center, boasting “Special Sale Prices Are Our Everyday Prices.” The Issaquah Press called it “one of the most modern buildings in the entire Eastside,” with 4,300+ square feet of self-service grocery, meat and produce departments, and a floral shop. Early employees included meat manager Al Garner, Jim Flynn, and Issaquah High School student Dick Swanson.
When Tony passed away in August 1961 the store became Johnnie’s Food Market. With sleeves rolled up and a visor pulled low, Johnnie was there every day. Some found him cantankerous, but they also knew his generosity. In 1963 he wrote off $23,000 in unpaid bills (never demanding repayment). When a woman asked for work to feed her family, he sent home with a bag of groceries. And kids never left without a sucker. Beneath the gruffness, he took good care of people.
As competition grew, the store shifted towards convenience items—cigarettes, milk, b**r—but loyal customers still rolled their carts across the old wooden floors. And Johnnie never considered giving up. As his daughter Cheryl put it, “He was happy with where he was in life. He was content.”
Johnnie passed away in December 1983 and the store closed on May 7, 1984. Before his passing, he told his family, “Bury me up on Bone Hill in my suit.” When reminding him he never wore it and asking if he was sure, he replied, “Hell yes, if I’m up on Bone Hill I want my suit on.”
[Tony & Johnnie’s Food Center c.1951 / IHM: 72.021.014.058; The Corner Market parade float c.1943 / IHM: 72.021.014.159]
