Jim and Debbie Davis, owners of Davis Food & Drug, moved to Vernal from Jackson Hole, Wyoming in March 1988 after purchasing two former Safeway/Farmer Jack grocery stores. The stores were called Davis IGA Super Centers. They immediately joined the Chamber of Commerce in both Roosevelt and Vernal, recognizing the value of being involved in the community.
Jim is past President and member of the Vernal Rotary Club; past President of the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo; past President of the IGA Advisory Board; past Chairman of the Utah Food Industry Board of Directors; past Chairman of the Uintah County Economic Development Board; past Chairman of the Tri-County Economic Development District Board; and past Chairman of the Tri-County Private Industry Council. Jim was asked to be a member of the Board of Directors of Shriners’ Intermountain Hospital in 1997 and became Chairman in 2004. He served the Shriners’ Hospital for Children for 11 years.
Debbie was actively involved in the business for the first five years. She was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Public Service award in 1992. By then, their two boys, CJ and Lee, were quickly becoming involved in school, and with the many activities of their children, Jim and Debbie made the decision that she would work in an administrative capacity and concentrate on raising their sons.
In 1993, Jim and Debbie recognized the need to remodel and expand the Vernal store. They began a major remodel adding 10,000 square feet, including a Deli, Bakery, Floral, Videos, and an expanded Service Center.
In 1996 Davis IGA Food & Drug was honored by the State Chamber of Commerce with the Business of the Year award for the northeastern area of the state of Utah. They received this recognition after having been recognized by the local area chamber as Business of the Year on two previous occasions.
In 1999 the Roosevelt store underwent a major remodel, moving various departments around the store. The floral department was enlarged and moved to the center of the store and became a major focal point. New floor tile, shelving, and modern display cases were added.
In 2009, they were joined in the business by their two sons, CJ and Lee. Having them join the team completed the picture of Davis Food and Drug being a family-owned and operated business.
On June 4, 2012, the Davis family purchased a fourth store in La Verkin, Utah. This store has been welcomed into the community and has undergone much growth. In 2018, the Davis family decided to add 10,300 square feet, including a True Value Hardware store and increased space for fresh departments. This location was also named Business of the year in 2018 and 2020 by the Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Beginning in December of 2022, the Davis family began a multi-year project to remodel the Roosevelt store. Over the course of three years, the store received all new refrigerated cases, new shelving and new front-end check stands that included a self-checkout.
