For two decades, Stutzman’s Country Market has been a fixture on Watson Road in St. Ignatius: a place where you could get hand-sliced deli meats, bulk health foods, Amish preserves, and a scoop of Wilcoxson’s ice cream all under one roof. When the original owners decided to step back, the question was whether the market would carry on.
The Strysko family had the answer. Dave Strysko and his family, Mission Valley locals, saw the opportunity not just to keep the market alive but to take it somewhere new. Their vision was a true farm-to-table hub: a place where shoppers could find locally grown produce alongside everyday essentials, all while supporting Montana farmers. They rebranded the store as Mission Country Market with the tagline “A Taste of the Valley.”
The transition from longtime customer to new owner is not a small leap. Dave worked with Mission West’s Business Development Center through the process: identifying the acquisition opportunity, building a business plan for the new operation, and securing the support and funding to make the purchase and transition work. Our team helped him navigate the financial side so he could focus on what he does best: running a community store.
Under the Strysko family, Mission Country Market has kept what made the original store special while adding their own signature. They rolled out a 10% discount for veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. They introduced a “Bike and Buggy” discount for anyone who arrives by bicycle or horse-drawn buggy, a nod to the Amish community that has been part of the store’s identity since 2003. The deli still slices 40-plus varieties of meat and 60-plus cheeses. The shelves still carry bulk goods and old-fashioned candy. But now, the local produce section is growing, and the connection between the market and nearby farms is getting stronger.
The Strysko family’s story is a reminder that rural entrepreneurship thrives when people have access to the right tools and guidance, and when a community decides that a business is worth keeping.
