“Janssen & Goeken Dry Goods & Grocery” (1996)
Muralists: Dan Sawatzky
Location: 100 Block of E. 4th Street (just West of the Big Red Church).
Step into a neighborhood store from the turn of the century. Located at 319-321 First Avenue, the Janssen and Goeken Dry Goods and Grocery operated between 1898 and 1909.
Inside, shelves are lined with goods, conversations flow easily, and everyone seems to know each other. This wasn’t just a place to shop—it was part of the rhythm of everyday life.
The story behind the store is one of family, partnership, and change. What began with the Janssen brothers evolved after loss, continuing through new hands and new chapters.
This mural honors the small businesses that quietly shaped Sterling—places where commerce and community were always intertwined.
