(BANKS) — In Banks, they talk about being “Banks guys and girls.” Mark Ward is a “Banks guy,” and his long-standing commitment to the town in which he grew up is being recognized.
The 57-year-old owns Jim’s Market, the primary grocery store in town. While helping to provide the Banks residents with food and supplies for their everyday wants and needs, he believes his responsibilities to those same people and the town in which they all live go beyond the owner/customer relationship.
“I think it’s important to support each other, and I think the town of Banks is really good about supporting each other,” Ward said. “I try to do as much as I can for everybody, and I feel like it’s important to support as many different things as I can in the community. I think that’s what makes Banks so unique as opposed to maybe bigger towns.”
Ward’s father — Jim — opened Jim’s Market in 1970 and moved it to its current location in 1985. The younger Ward bought the store from his father roughly two decades ago and has since strived to uphold the same values his father passed down to him as he worked in the store growing up.
“I think he probably instilled that sense of community into me,” Ward said. “He was always a big part of the community, so I’ve tried to do the same thing as far as being really involved. If there’s an event going on or some type of fundraiser, I make sure, if I’m asked, to join in and help support whatever program is going on.”
Ward graduated from Banks High School in 1985 and was a decorated athlete for the Braves, playing football, basketball and baseball at the now 3A school.
After his time on the playing fields came to an end, he regularly donated his time to coaching his own kids and youth in the area. Until a few years ago, he worked as an assistant for the Banks boys varsity basketball team. Now, however, the bulk of his time is spent at the store, where he continues to provide a quality shopping experience for people he’s often just happy to see and talk to.
“I’m not down on the floor as much as I used to be, but when I’m down there, it’s great to bump into people and talk and find out how they’re doing,” Ward said. “I feel like grocery stores are the hub of any community, and I feel like (Jim’s) is the hub of Banks. Or at least, I hope it is.
“You see people inside the store, and it’s fun to talk and catch up. I think that’s part of what makes Banks such a cool community.”
Ward’s efforts go beyond the store and athletic programs. He regularly donates to and participates in annual town events such as the Banks BBQ, various parades, the National Night Out, holiday tree lightings and more.
He can also be found at the local gyms and athletic fields from time to time, catching up with or simply rooting on the area youth in their athletic endeavors. After all, while the city of Banks continues to grow, Ward's love for and commitment to it do as well—something that will likely never change.
“It’s hard as things start growing to keep that small town feel, but I think and hope we can do that here in Banks,” Ward said. “A lot of people stay here in town, but even the people that leave come back to some of the events, and that’s a great thing to see. It keeps us connected and I hope the store, and I, am a part of helping to kind of do that.”
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