Northside Mayor Says Goodbye

70 year old Donnie Johnson, whom some call the  Mayor of the North Side even though he lives on the South Side of La Crosse, has retired from his grocery position he held at the store at 1607 George Street after four decades. Johnson said he became enamored of bagging and stocking shelves at the age of 16 at a Piggly Wiggly on Causeway Boulevard, during an era when La Crosse boasted almost 80 grocery stores. In 1974, he started at the George Street building which is now Gordys Country market. As for retiring, Johnson said it’s time. Donnie and his wife, Bonnie, intend to do some traveling to visit their two daughters and six grandchildren.