Fourteen years ago this week, the long-dreamed possibility of a grocery store on the east side of Tallassee was realized with the grand opening of Super Foods East on Notasulga Road in August 2010.
At the time, I had been working at the original Super Foods on Gilmer Avenue for a few years, and had not been informed if I would be making the transition to the new store.
However, as opening day approached, I found myself scheduled to work alongside the team that was setting up the new store for business at the old Dillard’s Country Store. The Lawrence family had taken every step to realize the potential of the east side store as the grand opening neared. It was a very rewarding experience to be there at the beginning. I was working at the original store that day but Mr. Gene came and picked me up – he told me that I would be the first “closer” at the new store, which was an honor.
The original management team included Gene and David Lawrence, Paul Gaither, Jonathan Neuber, Deborah Pelham, and Jill Marshall. Neuber and Pelham came with David from the Lifeway bookstore business in Montgomery but had no prior grocery knowledge. Marshall had been a cashier at the old store so she was more familiar with the business. Longtime butcher Bobby Gresham set up the meat department, but otherwise the employees were all new. Same with produce and dairy/frozen food. The cashiers and stockers were all new, as well.
Paul Gaither passed away within that first year, and then Craig Webster came on board in July 2011. Mr. Webster’s vast knowledge of the grocery business brought tremendous excitement to our team. Mr. Gaither and Mr. Webster are “old school” grocery men, both of whom demonstrated an unparalleled mastery of marketing and retail. I have learned so much from these men. In fact, Craig Webster might be the best manager of people I’ve ever worked for in any operation. He knows the store so well, he can tell you everything that is going on now as well as what happened yesterday and what will happen tomorrow!
David Lawrence, a man I’ve known most of my life (our birthdays are just days apart and we were roommates in college), is our owner. He truly cares for his workers and puts his faith into action. Time and again, as my co-workers have faced various setbacks or crises, David has set aside time to make personal home visits, lead Bible studies, and in all ways show his great character. I consider it a privilege to work for such a fine man.
Julie Morrison began as the assistant produce manager but was elevated to manager within a couple of years and, as of now, is the only member of that original team to still be working there fourteen years later. Other managers through the years have included Jon Parsons, Jason Achord, Roger Treadwell, Wesley Webster (Craig’s son), Chris Bird (my father), and Jamie Moore, among others. It is fair to say that the senior Webster has put such a personal stamp on this particular store and its operations that many customers think of Super Foods East as “Craig’s store.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” It was the vision – and determination – of Gene Lawrence, who made it all happen. He has done so much for the Tallassee community, much of which sometimes goes unrecognized. I hope you will take the opportunity this week to drive out to the east side Super Foods to tell the gang, “happy anniversary – and many more.”
Michael Bird is a retired music teacher with Tallassee City Schools.
