Our Story

Jerry and his wife Denise Anderson opened the Question Mart in 1984 as a wave of local convenience stores began operating across the United States. Jerry and Denise started Question Mart with the dream of a convenience store that could do more than just sell cold drinks and hot snacks: they believed a convenience store could be a place where citizens of Question Mark could come and interact each and every day, facing the uncertainties of life together.

Jerry had been a high school physics teacher with an interest in long-range communication. As a boy, he was fascinated by the idea of how sound and light waves could travel across great distances. He read numerous science fiction magazines and imagined a world where humans could communicate instantly with one another. During graduate school Jerry worked on several interesting projects, one of which was the ARPAnet, which eventually became the internet and which ended up changing how the entire world communicates.

Denise was an art teacher at the high school known for her challenging projects and stylish outfits. Originally from upstate New York, Denise studied at Tisch School of Arts and moved to Question Mark when a position at the high school opened. Jerry and Denise fell in love and soon married. Jerry and Denise often collaborated at the high school. Jerry once built a giant mechanized accordion which Denise used to accompany a student performance and exhibition. In 1983, both left QMHS to open Question Mart.

The couple soon had two daughters, Charli and Lorna. Charli was a well-known athlete in town. And although Lorna was born with multiple sclerosis, she never let her challenges deter her from helping out at the store or with her family. Always polite, customers could find her sorting magazines or ringing up their purchases. Jerry and Lorna were often spotted in the parking lot of the Question Mart together, gazing up at the stars. Jerry had a long-standing interest in the physical world outside our own and continued to study long-range signals. Jerry was fond of several conspiracies regarding numerology and astrology and ran his own monthly newsletter: “The Invisible Network.” Visitors to the Question Mart often their shared stories about extraordinary encounters with both Jerry and Denise. Jerry and Denise were also devoted short wave radio operators and many customers of the 1990s will remember the sound of static coming from behind the counter during that time. Both believed there was an invisible world just beyond the realm of what we could perceive.

Inspired by their introspective, industrious parents, Charli moved to Columbus and joined the then-developing computer-coding industry while Lorna completed a degree in astrophysics. Jerry had a stroke in 2007, which presented a challenge for the entire family. After Jerry’s death in 2010, Denise Anderson retired and Lorna returned to town to take over the Question Mart, helping guide it into the 21st Century. Although no longer an astrophysicist, Lorna, like her father, continues to share an interest in all things unknown.

One event that Lorna recently recalled was the strange discovery of a notebook which she found under a loose linoleum tile in the back corner of the store. Inside the notebook were several fantastic drawings of futuristic machines and musical instruments. On the cover of the notebook was a single message: Mvbmz. Whether left there by her father, a customer, or some other stranger, Lorna considers such discoveries a part of the joy of managing the Question Mart.

Hot Foods

Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a whole meal, we've got you covered!

Plain Hot Dog

Pickle Dog

Fry Dog

Buffalo Dog

Tacodog

Pizzadog

Chicken Fried Dog

Orange Chicken Dog

Falafeldog

Curry Dog

Ramen Dog

Spaghetti Dog

Lasagnedog

Hot Fudge Sundae Dog

We also offer a variety of pre-made sandwiches, including Turkey and Swiss on Rye, Ham and Cheddar on Wheat, Roast Beef and Horseradish on Sourdough, Italian Sub with Salami, Ham, and Provolone, Veggie Wrap with Hummus and Cucumber, BLT with Crisp Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato, Chicken Salad on Croissant, Tuna Salad on Multigrain, and Egg Salad.

Remember, all day-old sandwiches are half off!

We also offer more than 100 different jerkys! Just ask for a sample! One sample per customer! No seconds!

Cold Drinks

Need a coffee to pick you up or something harder to bring you down? The Question Mart will quench your thirst!

Kids, no waiting in the parking lot asking people to buy you beer. Just don't do it! Come in and buy some gum instead. We have lots!