You could always find one of these two cars sitting outside of Rod's Thriftway Food Store in Concordia Kansas for as long as I could remember. That's Rod. The man that offered me my very first job. Back then Rod had just remodeled the whole story and the deli was brand new. I had applied at many businesses in Concordia KS, called back, and was offered zero. I remember still walking into Rod's Grocery that day with my application in hand and giving it to him. Rod said, "Well do you mind packing ice all day?" Me-"Nope, that's great!" LOL he was messing with me and walked me back to the deli, showed me around the new set up, and he then offered me a deli position.
Heck, I’d been thinking about doing this session inside of Rod’s for quite some time, but when it was officially announced that it’s shutting down, I knew right away we had to go in and grab some photos.
Ahh the Deli. That place holds a lot of memories. Some of the greatest people still hang around in my memories. Shane Haug was my boss. He was always running here, there, and everywhere trying to keep everything in top notch and his father in law (Rod) happy. Oh then there was Betty! Betty Powell, who was in her 80s. She was the best to work with. She taught me so much about cooking, and honestly, she’s probably where I learned most of my technique.
You got Jim, Jim .... I can't remember Jims last name but he was always in the cereal aisle across from the deli checking dates on all the cereals. I can hear his voice now. It seems like yesterday. He was also the one that kept you from parking in Rod's parking lot during Brown Grand events so Rod's customers could still have great parking.
Rhonda ... why can't I remember last names.... in the meat department. She had the best personality. Brassy but great sense of humor and always brought a laugh to your day.
Man, it’s really sad to see the store go.
We thought we’d get to use the little shopping carts for the girls one last time, but I guess there were rumors of someone coming in and stealing carts, so they had to put them all away in a safe place. That was kind of sad not being able to use the mini carts one last time.
Photos are how I save memories in time... and thought I'd share with you all too.
Some of my favorite memories from Rod's are running up and down the aisles with the shopping cart while Mom shopped, the little barrel juices on the bottom shelf under the fruit that I could always talk Mom into buying, and Rod’s awesome discounts he always ran. You could even get bananas extra ripe if you wanted.
And of course, there was always the quarter machine prize if you were good. I also remember when I was a kid they had all kinds of assorted candies you could buy by the pound. That was always fun.
One thing about Rod’s was they always had the most unique selections that you just couldn’t find at other stores. A lot of times he carried products nobody else around here had. Actually, my friend told me Rod’s is the only local place that sells Dorothy Lynch, if I’m hearing that right.
Rod told me he started in the grocery business in 1963, and I believe he said Rod’s Grocery has been open for 32 years. WILD!
And if Rod wasn’t at the grocery store, chances are you saw him somewhere around town delivering ice with his wife Kathy. Honestly, I’m not even sure where people are going to get their ice delivered now.
What a hardworking guy. There was never a day you could walk in there and not find Rod working hard.
I’m excited for him, but man… it’s still sad to see it go.
