Until this week when he retired, it wasn't hard to spot Kieth Horton at work. He was right there when you went through the doors at Safeway, manning the produce department.
For 50 years and two days, or 438,348 hours, Horton was seen doing just about everything in the store, most recently produce.
Marie Gerhardt is the head cashier at the 44 St. location and recently organized a celebration in honour of Horton's milestone. The two have been co-workers since she started over 40 years ago.
"He's like a big brother to me," said an emotional Gerhardt. "Breaks will never be the same around here with you gone."
At the behest of management, Horton told stories from his career, which spanned all three Safeway locations in Lloyd. He spoke of times when the lift was moved from the original store to the first mall location. How being near a liquor establishment after work in the mall led to some late nights and early mornings.
He recounted the good times chasing down shoplifters when they were downtown at the now Giant Tiger location.
"They'd run out the door with meat in their hands, we'd be right behind them. We'd run down by what used to be the Capri," recounted a chuckling Horton."They'd toss the steaks up on the roof so they wouldn't be caught with them, so the seagulls were well fed."
He spoke fondly of the memories he takes away from the store.
"A bunch of the staff started when we were 17-18 years old, we grew up with them ... there are some long-term employees where we had some good times," said Horton. "We'd all meet up at someone's place; we'd play some street hockey, cards, crib, hearts, we were like brothers."
When asked about his career and what had changed the most, he put some thought into the answer. Fifty years in the industry before he retired has given him plenty of insight.
"The changes, how fast the changes happen in our industry now," said Horton. "What used to take six months to change, now happens in weeks."
He'll miss the store regulars he'd see and talk to frequently, and it is clear, the grocery landscape in our community will miss him.
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