35 Years of Love and Hoagies

This year marks 35 years of John's Village Market in Wayne.

The small corner store at the intersection of Pennsylvania, Poplar and North Wayne avenues is an "institution" known by people all over the world, said Bill Vesper, son of the owner, John.

While some things change over time, some things never do—like the smell that greets you when you step inside the shop—cold cuts, sauces and baked bread.

John's Village Market was actually responsible for bringing together owners John and his wife Beverly.

As Bill tells it, John and his parents were considering buying the business there and were steered for advice to its former owners, William and Isabelle Zulker who lived on Poplar Avenue.

John and his family did buy the business, and the Zulker's daughter Beverly came to work at the shop. Only a few years later did the couple marry, and they have been together, even at work, ever since.

Bill and his siblings practically grew up at the deli and were making sandwiches before they could reach the counter, he said. In 1986, John's opened a second location in Berwyn, where Bill and his brother John work. After the two graduated college in 2003 they both decided to stick with the family business.

"We're helping to grow what Dad started in 1978," John said.

How are Bill and John helping to grow John's Village Market? Check back on Radnor Patch next week for an article on the "next generation" of John's.