Our History

Built in the early 1900's, or before, the Cistern Country Store is the second or third oldest building in the small village of Cistern.  Throughout our history, one thing has remained consistent…it started as a bar (saloon in the olden days)...and it's still a bar!

In 1924 five year old Avis Plentl remembers buying material for a red dress and matching red socks here.  In the 1940’s you could buy feed for your chickens and livestock, hardware, kerosene, ice by the block or cubed, groceries, clothing, and household goods.  You could bring yard eggs and trade them for staples such as 25 lb. sacks of flour, sugar, meats and groceries that weren’t grown at home.  By 1980 the store/bar no longer carried feed, kerosene or traded eggs, but continued to carry general groceries, deli meats and cheeses, motor oils and fluids.

Currently the Cistern Country Store serves the community as a convenience store complete with deli cooler filled with the local’s favorites.   One can get a homemade sandwich; eat the best barbeque and drink a very cold beverage.  On Friday and Saturday nights patrons love to sing karaoke and dance, or shoot a few games of pool.   Cards and  dominoes are favorites on other nights.  Everyone is welcome!

Known owners and/or operators date back to early 1920's.

2002 -      :   Conrad & Betty (Otahal) Danner

1979-2002:   Johnny, Mary Ann & Tyler Otahal

           Operated by:  Beatrice Otahal (Mrs. Bea)

1973 - 1979:  Olin & Loraine (Stolle) Stuessy

1969 - 1973:  Franklin & Gladys (Vinklarek) Farek

       - 1969:  Felix & Billie Mae (Breitschoph) Janecka

1948 -   Emil Janecka & Charlie Vinklarek

1941(?) - 1948:  Eddie Breitschopf

   ?     Kallus

1930-                Julius Janecka

  Joseph Kunschik

                        _______ Svec (?)

               

Gladys (Farek) Holub & daughter Melissa

Franklin Farek.

Charlie Vinklarek

Conrad & Betty Danner

        Mrs. Bea. Johnny & Mary Ann Otahal