Power Equipment Trade magazine Senior Associate Editor David Abbott travels to Kalispell, Montana to visit Big John’s. Everyone has a story to tell, but some are more interesting than others. The story behind Big John’s is a truly American tale. A real family-run business, Big John’s has been selling and servicing outdoor equipment here for 41 years. Big John himself—John Czajkowski—is closing in on 69 years old, but he had already lived quite a life before he and wife Cathy established the dealership in July, 1974. Like a lot of great American stories, John’s didn’t start in America. He was born in a German concentration camp in the aftermath of World War II. His parents had survived incarceration during the War. Like many others, when the fighting was over, there was no home left to which they could return.

Featured Story: “Big Sky’s The Limit”

Written By: David Abbott
Company: Big John’s
Location: Kalispell, Montana
PET Issue: October 2015

Check out other articles in the October issue of Power Equipment Trade magazine.
Power Equipment Trade magazine’s October 2015 issue features a full preview of the 2015 GIE+EXPO, held at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky on October 21-23. Also featured is Kalispell, Montana’s Big John’s, a diversified dealer with an interesting background. The annual GIE+EXPO: Expo Elite section features key dealer suppliers exhibiting at the 2015 event. A special article highlights the Star Tron production facility in Montgomery, Alabama. Other articles cover the latest industry news, business management tips, and new products.