I grew up in Itasca all of my life. It has always been home—a small town where places matter because of the memories made inside them.

For most Itasca students, Jimmy’s Corner Store was a regular meeting place. It was where you could talk about your day at school, plan the weekend, or grab a hot meal with friends. I remember grabbing a burger during lunch and a sausage breakfast biscuit in the mornings before school. It was a place to hang out with friends—especially Tim, since his parents owned the store—and feel like you belonged.

As we grew older, Jimmy’s became the perfect spot for a family night out, satisfying a child’s craving for a cheeseburger while offering a hearty chicken-fried steak for the adults. Later on, especially among the Itasca male population, it became an everyday—morning and afternoon—ritual centered around fresh coffee, local politics, and small-town conversation.

Jimmy’s Corner Store was established in 1987 and remained a family-run business for decades. When the store was eventually sold, it was a sad moment for many in the community. The building transitioned into a mini mart, marking the end of an era. Recently, it has been purchased again and now serves as a similar mini mart destination—still a familiar stop in town—where you can even order Hunt Brothers’ pizza.

Jimmy’s will always be remembered and will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I hope someday Itasca will have another spot that can bring back even a piece of what it once was—so my kids can experience a place and make memories like that, too.

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