Yesterday marked a milestone in the store's history and Waterville's, as well.
Charlie Gaiser retired at around one o'clock and "Foodking" was to change hands, officially, at five.
Dottie Ruane was there in time to say "Goodbye" to both Charlie and Rick, but her chin may have quivered a little bit - and she wasn't alone. Rick said that he'd be "around for a week or so," and then ..... ?
Some history - The Garretts and their Grocery Store.
The following, which was written by the late Mary C. Cleary, is excerpted from The Waterville Times, April 26 1995, just prior to the May 1st Re-opening of Food King following an enormous fire that occurred the previous November 28th.At first, it was debatable whether or not the Garretts would rebuild, but in late December Rick Garrett announced that - Yes! - Food King would be back! Throughout the rest of the winter, members of the Garrett family and several Food King employees worked right alongside the contractors, rebuilding and then restocking the store. In 1995 Mrs. Cleary wrote:"Foodking had it’s beginnings across the street at 128 Main Street on the site now occupied by The Waterville Times. The market was started there by June and Robert Garrett who purchased the store from Stephen and Mary Congelo in 1950. Their son, Richard (Rick) was born on March 29, 1950, a few weeks opened the business, so he literally grew up in the grocery business.
The First year they were in businees the two-story wooden building caught fire, and burned to the ground, but the Garretts gamely rebuilt on the same site - this time, a one-story concrete block building. In the 1960’s, the business expanded, and Garrett bought the adjacent brick building to allow wholesale trucks to park on White Street for deliveries, but still more space was needed.
In December1965, Bob Garrett purchased the Edmund Walker home across the street and made plans to build am 8,000 square foot modern store, with room to park 22 cars. The Walker house was razed in April of 1966. The opening of the new store was November 16, 1966 for Garrett’s Foodland Supermarket. The ribbon was cut by Assemblyman William Sears, Mayor Frank Conroe and Sangerfield Supervisor Wilmor Youngs also participated in the ceremonies. The new store construction cost was $175,000.
"An ad which appeared in The Waterville Times last week listed these specials: White bread, 10cents; Maxwellhouse Coffee, 50 cents per lb.; turkeys, 39 cents per lb. and boneless round steak, 79 cents per lb.
"Since 1966, there have been three additions to the store. The parkinglot was enlarged after the Mobil Service Stsation operated by George Plante was purchased and torn down sometime after 1980.
"A few years later the store’s name was changed from Garrett’s Foodland to Waterville Food King.
"Bob and June retired and management taken over by their son, Rick. His two sisters, Mary Anne amd Kathy serve as departments heads and doug Plante is Assistant Manager.
"There are (in 1995) about 40 full-time and part-time employees. Many have worked 30 years or more at the store.”
When the 17,500 square foot "new" store opened, it had all-new equipment including new compressors for air conditioning, new shelving and, of course, all of the new canned goods, groceries and sundries were in place. The "new" store offered a five-register operation, deli department and in-store bakery, full meat department, frozen foods, produce, diary products, groceries and health and beauty aids.
Food King has always offered an "ear" to its customers, time and again placing special orders for unusual items or making charge accounts available. The Garretts have been generous to the community, either donating or providing goods at a lowered cost to school and service organizations and also welcoming the always-popular "Bake Sale" tables.
Beyond all of that, Food King stocks an uncommon product - one certainly not seen in a typical grocery store or supermarket description - Food King serves as a friendly, congenial "hub" or "social center" for the community: how many times have we all said, "I saw So-and-so at Food King!" "I was talking with Jeannie at Foodking!" "When I was at Food King......." and, of course, "They've got it at Food King!"
*********
We’ve all known, for some time, that it’s been Rick’s dream to “retire” and enjoy a well-earned place in the sun.Now he can do just that, and we wish him all the best.
We also offer our Congratulations and Best Wishes
to Food King’s new owner, Mr. Gary Wandley:
“Welcome to Waterville! We’re glad you’re here!”
(Click to enlarge!)
(Click to enlarge!)
