That first Clarks Market opened for business on Nov. 9, 1978, in Aspen and soon after, the store began learning how it could best serve the community. The mix of products in Clarks Market now reflects 30 years of that business practice. Tom Clark put the strategy to use several times over, as starting in the early 90s he began purchasing other small grocery stores on the Western Slope, including Basalt, Norwood, Crested Butte, Telluride and Blanding, Utah. In resort communities, Clarks is known as a conventional grocery store that emphasizes natural, organic and gourmet products. In the more rural country stores, Clarks is a conventional store that gives people the product mix that they need, and products that help them stretch their dollars as far as they can.