The 1950’s were the golden age of supermarkets. The post WWII suburban boom became a central part of American Life. In 1954 supermarkets were 41 % of the stores, particularly in more populated areas.  Joseph and Hilda Dobrinich decided they wanted in on it and opened Joseph’s Cash Market on November 10, 1949, on Main Street just north of the Hawthorne Variety Store. It was small, only 26ft x 50ft, with a strict cash only policy and plenty of Free Parking in the back. In the beginning it was only open on the weekends.  Joseph was a very serious competitor offering delivery, competitive pricing and sometimes offering to pay for taxi fare for those who would come to his store instead of another.  The store  soon outgrew the building and after hard work and saving he bought a new building on 10th and D street. (Currently the Mineral County Museum)

    It took 10 years to put it all together. For Hawthorne to get a new modern supermarket was a big deal. There was a butcher shop in the back and a new self-serve meat counter. With 8,000 square feet there was plenty of room for fancy displays. At one time Joseph had a huge cake made and put it on display with the cake mixes he had used. There were several other grocery stores in Hawthorne and a couple in Babbitt, including Safeway. Joseph always ran large ads in the local paper and kept his prices slightly cheaper. In 1961 he added an addition to the back of the store for more meat storage.   On May 1st of 1962 he sold the business to the Big T Market; however, he kept the building. The Big T Market lasted to about 1975 when the new modern Safeway opened where it is now. 

   Also, in 1975 Joseph opened a smaller store on 301 E Street called Joseph’s Market in a building owned by the Hackney Family. Joseph added a laundromat and operated it for a few years up till old age. He sold the building on 10th and D St. to the Mineral County Museum. Now the Singh Family owns Joseph’s Market at 301 E Street



    Hilda Dobrinich was born in Colorado and died in Hawthorne in 1978. Joseph was born in Ohio in 1915 and died in 1989 at age 74. They are buried in the Hawthorne Cemetery next to each other.