6000 W 3500S Kent’s Foodtown: Our Friendly Corner Grocery

Kent’s Foodtown: Granger’s Hometown Grocery Store

In the heart of Granger, Utah—long before it became West Valley City—stood a neighborhood market that was more than just a place to buy groceries. Kent’s Foodtown was a family-owned store where neighbors gathered, where kids knew the grocer by name, and where the spirit of community was always stocked on the shelves.

Established in the late 1970s by longtime grocery professional Kent Dastrup, Kent’s Foodtown filled a need in a rapidly growing suburban neighborhood. After spending over 40 years in the grocery business—including decades as a store director for Albertson’s—Kent brought his deep knowledge, strong work ethic, and personal values to his own store.

Located just off 3500 South, Kent’s Foodtown quickly became a landmark. It was known for clean aisles, fair prices, and a friendly atmosphere. Local residents remember walking in and being greeted with a smile, receiving help carrying bags, and finding quality products without the need to drive far. The store was large enough to meet a family's needs, but small enough that every customer felt seen and appreciated.

Kent ran the store with integrity and care. He and his wife Erva Dean were deeply involved, and their quiet example of service and dedication was reflected in every part of the business—from the orderly produce section to the respectful way employees treated customers. Kent’s Foodtown wasn’t part of a national chain—it was homegrown and personal, and people trusted it.

The store also served as a kind of informal community hub. Neighbors ran into each other there, teens got their first jobs bagging groceries, and elderly residents knew they could count on a familiar face. In a time before big box stores dominated the landscape, Kent’s Foodtown represented the best of local commerce—reliable, rooted, and deeply human.

Though the store eventually closed its doors as retail patterns changed, its legacy lives on in the memories of Granger residents who still recall with fondness the grocery store that felt like family