On Saturday, July 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jensen’s Department Store will celebrate a remarkable milestone — 100 years of continuous, family-owned operation in the heart of Manti. Founded on July 9, 1925, by Gail and Grace Jensen, the store stands not only as a cornerstone of local commerce, but also as a living symbol of small-town values, resilience, and community.

The celebration will include prizes, special sales, and refreshments. Community members are invited to stop in and visit with the entire Jensen family, now spanning five generations who have each played a part in keeping the business alive.

Jensen’s Department Store is believed to be the only business in Sanpete County still operating under the same family ownership for a full century. Located in what was the historic Tuttle Motel building, the store at one point even extended into what is now the Manti Senior Center. It began as a small general store offering groceries, bolts of fabric, dry goods, workwear, and household essentials — providing local families with what they needed most in the early days.

In 1952, Gail and Grace’s son Bob and his wife Joyce took over the store, modernizing its inventory and services while preserving its community-first philosophy. In the early 1990s, John and Kay became the third generation to lead the business. Today, the store proudly includes the fourth generation with daughters Kendra and Kami, and the fifth generation, with granddaughter Shawnee, now helping carry the torch into the future.

John remembers his first days in the store, sweeping the floors as a young boy in elementary school for a nickel a day. “Some of my fondest memories are buying the clothes, seeing the changes in fashion over the years, and especially the people I’ve been lucky enough to meet,” he recalls.

Over the years, Jensen’s has kept pace with changing trends and customer needs. The store now offers name-brand clothing for men, women, and children, along with shoes from popular brands like Nike, New Balance, and Skechers. Their clothing selection features trusted favorites like Wrangler, Mikarose, Levi’s, and more. They’ve long been the go-to source in the region for tuxedo rentals, public safety uniforms, and Hunter Douglas blinds. Thoughtful gift items, accessories, and seasonal goods help Jensen’s remain relevant for every generation. In addition to merchandise, the store provides UPS shipping and personal service that has become increasingly rare in today’s retail landscape.

But perhaps no part of the Jensen family’s story has left a deeper mark on the community than their beloved holiday tradition the Tree of Angels.

Started by Gail and Grace nearly 100 years ago, the tradition originally involved helping a couple of families in need during the holidays. Bob and Joyce continued the effort in their time, and nearly 40 years ago, John and Kay took the reins. In true Kay Jensen fashion, she expanded it into a cornerstone tradition, which now provides Christmas gifts for over 300 local children every year.

“One of the things we’re most proud of is how the Tree of Angels has grown with the store,” said Kay. “It’s not just about business. It’s about people. That’s what we’ve always believed in.”

As the business enters its second century, the Jensens reflect on how far it has come–and how much has changed. “The technology has been the biggest shift,” said John. “The day-to-day use of computers has completely changed how we run the store. But the values–those are still the same. It’s always been about quality, service, and treating people like neighbors.”

On Saturday, July 5, Jensen’s Department Store invites the community to come celebrate a century of memories, milestones, and meaningful moments. There will be giveaways, great deals, refreshments, and an opportunity to reflect on 100 years of hometown history.

“We hope that when people think of Jensen’s,” John and Kay shared, “they think of the service, quality, and friendly environment we’ve always worked hard to provide.”