Howie S Ranch Market

Stepping into Howie's Ranch Market is like stepping back into a bygone era. A huge old-fashioned safe squats by the front door. Employees cheerfully greet many customers by name. The shelves are low, making it easy to see across the store. If you've been in a few times, no one makes you show your ID to write a check. "We're unusual by today's standards," said Kathy Picano, who has owned the store for the last 17 of its 77 years in the same location.

Stepping into Howie's Ranch Market is like stepping back into a bygone era. A huge old-fashioned safe squats by the front door. Employees cheerfully greet many customers by name. The shelves are low, making it easy to see across the store. If you've been in a few times, no one makes you show your ID to write a check. "We're unusual by today's standards," said Kathy Picano, who has owned the store for the last 17 of its 77 years in the same location.