Tom & Jo’s stays in family with new owners

DON AND KELLY MARTIN are the new owners of Tom & Jo’s Liquor in Aurora, Wis., but not new to the business, which Kelly Martin’s grandparents started 55 years ago. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)
AURORA, Wis. — Don and Kelly Martin are the new owners of Tom & Jo’s Liquor in Aurora, as of Nov. 30.
But they are no strangers to the business, which was started in 1962 by Kelly Martin’s grandparents, Tom and Josephine “Jo” Raymond, Kelly Martin said.
Her father, the late Jack Raymond, and her mother, Sandy (Davis) Raymond, took over operations in 1976.
It then passed in 1993 to “special family member” Chass Peterson when he bought the business at W719 County Road N.
“He is not blood-related, but he has been part of the family forever,” Kelly Martin said.
The family prides itself on providing good customer service, she said. They sell beer, wine, liquor, lottery tickets and food products such as Audrey’s Ravioli, Grandma’s Old Fashioned ravioli, pizza and ice cream.
Kelly Martin said they plan to make many improvements at the store, including a revamped storefront, new signs and adding a craft beer cooler that will give customers the choice of purchasing beer individually, by the six-pack or by the case.