Longtime Fareway meat manager passes the keys

WASHINGTON — After 23 and a half years managing the Washington Fareway Meat Department and 44 years working for the company, Ron Grote retired April 27.

As he strolled through the store a week and a half later, he was stopped in every aisle he walked, either by familiar sales floor staff, other managers, or even the occasional customer. Such is the rapport of such a longtime Fareway employee.

The former manager said the reality of retirement hadn’t fully registered yet, in his mind.

“So far, honestly, it just seems like I’m on vacation,” Grote said. “Everybody tells me it takes four to six weeks to totally decompress, and to really figure out that you’re done.”

The now-retired Grote was on the scene for a brief “passing of the keys“ ceremony, as he gave his blessing to the department’s new manager, Carl Todd, his former assistant.

“I feel he’s a lot like me,” Grote said of Todd, noting that, “Organization is next to godliness,” in both of their minds.

Todd, for his part, said he was still settling into the role but was excited to be there, and plans on moving to Washington, “as soon as (he) can find a house to buy.”

Both meat managers said they didn’t expect the swap in leadership to change anything for customers at the grocery store on North Marion Avenue.

“Customer service is going to stay the same,” Todd said. “It’s going to still be our number one priority.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com