| Place a Classified | Subscribe today | July 9, 2009 |
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Making most of his time
INKOM — Elias Bisharat was standing in front of the dairy section Monday afternoon where he was busy unloading items off a handcart, while at the same time maintaining a conversation with a nearby customer.
Having spent all his life in Inkom and having worked in a family owned grocery store that’s been in business for about three decades, it’s not uncommon for the 21-year-old to know almost everyone who comes in. Bisharat took four milk crates and divided the items to create two makeshift chairs that he placed under a shade near the store’s entrances. Occasionally waving at passersby, Bisharat discussed working as second-in-command for his father, Rashid, at Bisharat’s Market, volunteering as a firefighter for the Fire Department in Inkom and pursuing three more years of undergraduate studies at Idaho State University.
Bisharat has recently worked seven-day shifts from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. His father Rashid, who opened the market about three decades ago, is currently vacationing and visiting Palestinian relatives in Israel.
When Rashid takes off, Bisharat said it is not uncommon for him to step up and take the reins at Bisharat’s Market in Inkom. Bisharat, though, contends there is no sweat in keeping such a busy work schedule that also involves being an ISU student and occasionally strapping on a firefighter’s uniform to respond to brush fire alerts.
“I can practically do everything my father does,” Bisharat said about working at the grocery store. That even includes selling BMW, Mercedes, Lincoln, Hyundai, Pontiac Grand Am, Dodge Ram and Cadillac automobiles.
Those seven brands are a part of the Bisharat family’s business, which for two years has been both a grocery store and car dealership. Bisharat said despite spending most of his days in the confines of grocery aisles, he is always ready to help the Inkom Fire Department, which mostly combats wildfires.
He said he is surrounded with good help and does not feel uncomfortable letting the other workers run the business while he is out on call. “If a fire happens, they page us,” he said. “We work closely with the McCammon Fire Department, Pocatello Valley and we’re even trying to get closer with Chubbuck.”
Bisharat, who has been a volunteer firefighter for three years, points out that the major fires occur around Marsh Creek and McCammon. However, for all the danger and dedication involved in fighting wildfires, he positively remarks on his second job with few words.
“It’s been good,” he said. He’s even considered a career in firefighting, but for now, it looks like the ISU student may have other plans.
These may involve eventually working in the automobile industry, where he plans to do some marketing. Aside from a career in marketing, Bisharat’s even considered taking over Rashid’s store. But he does not think his father would let go of Bisharat’s Market any time soon. Instead, Bisharat said Rashid has been proud of him for volunteering with the Fire Department. He said his efforts with Inkom, in a way, reflect a bit of Rashid’s own good intentions when the Palestinian man came to Idaho more than three decades ago. “He liked it,” Bisharat said. “My dad loves helping the community. It gives us a better name.” Bisharat compared his level of popularity to his father’s by drawing levels with his hands. He raised one hand and lowered the other. “My popularity is still down here,” he said. “(Rashid’s), though, is way up here.” Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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