Friendly and Convenient
Spencer Food Lion
If you’re like most people I know, then you have a favorite grocery store where you do most of your shopping. My mom lives in North Carolina near the Spencer Food Lion (originally known as Food Town) and has been shopping there for over 30 years.
Although Mom has enjoyed shopping at other Food Lion stores from time to time, now in her 90’s, she finds it harder to get around, so she especially likes the ease of finding what she wants in a smaller store. While the Spencer store may be smaller than other local Food Lions, it still is large enough to stock a wide variety of items. If something Mom needs is not on the shelf, she can ask and the store manager will put in a request.
There are many others in the community besides Mom who enjoy shopping at the Spencer store such as Judy Pesco. Judy especially likes the friendly atmosphere and says she’s been shopping at the Spencer Food Lion for so long the employees even know her by name. She also likes the convenience and that someone’s always willing to help, even walking her to her car to load groceries when needed.
Perhaps you’re not familiar with Food Lion, but if you live in or near Salisbury, NC, (Spencer is just outside of Salisbury) you most likely are familiar with the history of this innovative grocery store. Marking the spot of the original store is a sign in Salisbury on the corner of W. Innes St. and Mahaley Ave., explaining how the first store opened in the Ketner Center just a few hundred feet away in 1957. While I was too little to remember that opening, I do remember later as a little girl going with my mom to shop there.
One of the co-founders, Mr. Ralph Ketner also in his 90’s, can still be seen about town at various functions and places, including College Bar-B-Que across the street from the site of the original Food Lion store. Although I’ve seen Mr. Ketner out and about, I’ve never had the privilege of hearing him speak and consider those who have lucky. Brilliant in the realm of numbers and math, Mr. Ketner often shares his expertise on marketing and finance at Catawba College in Salisbury.
What an inspiration to think a dream from over fifty years ago of a grocery store with low prices and a friendly atmosphere turned into a chain of stores serving the Southeast even today. Although the world seems to be moving at a faster speed with computers, smart phones and all kinds of gadgets, there’s always a place for a kind word and a caring attitude. Oh, and oh yes, low prices. Thanks, Spencer Food Lion. Mom and Judy say thanks, too.
Where do you like to shop for groceries and why? Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
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