General Info

The 1930's and early 1940's was a peaceful and more prosperous time for Monticello and Johnston's expanded along with it by selling animal feed and processing chickens while also growing the retail store business. At the height of World War II in 1943, Felix Johnston made a very bold decision. He purchased the eight-acre parcel in Monticello and built the store and dining room where they are right now. Due to lumber during the War, Johnston had to build with local and very green wood. Over the years, this lumber cracked and shrunk, adding to the "rustic" look to the building. Right after World War II, so many changes were affecting the country and the local area as well. The economy was growing and changing while inventions were affecting everyday life. With the invention of the home refrigerator, Johnston's slowly dropped out of the Meat Locker business and began to concentrate on their retail store and smoke house processing. By now, Johnston's reputation expanded beyond Monticello as more people experienced the unique flavor of the hickory smoked sausage.