McGowan Grocery Serving Plains Since 1883

photos & story by Jed Winer

The previous brick storefront location

McGowan Grocery first opened in 1883 as the the J.A. McGowan General Merchandise – named after its founder. It was one of the first businesses incorporated in Montana.

Today, the store is owned and operated by the Swanson family. Bruce Swanson owns the business and his daughter Erika Swanson, 40, manages the office.

“We want to try to provide a clean place to come shop where you can get a wide enough variety that you don’t have to run to Missoula every week to get groceries,” said Erika Swanson.

However, some customers do head to big box stores like Costco in bigger towns like Missoula for savings.

Erika said there is a “huge misconception” that McGowan’s – nicknamed “Mc-gouge-ans” by some – charges prices that are too high in this poor Sanders County community. In reality, the majority of the store’s prices are determined by a warehouse in Salt Lake City that negotiates prices for independent grocery stores, said Erika Swanson.

Customers sometimes complain about the prices, but most seemed to appreciate the convenience of having a grocery store in town, and one where the employees know many of the customers by name.

“We’re lucky to have it in a little town like this,” said Laura Rehbein, 64, a resident of Plains for 32 years.

“I like it,” said Jason Mickelson, 36, as he returned with groceries to his pickup truck, where his dog Ember was waiting. There are “not a lot of options, but everyone’s friendly.”