Plenty of people like their coworkers. But what about falling in love? Well, that’s what happened to this Indiana couple who met while working at a grocery store. Now, they’re retiring with more than a combined century of working at their beloved location!
The Start Of Something Bigger
Becky and Ed Osowski started working at their local grocery store back when they were teenagers. Becky’s first-ever shift at Martin’s Super Markets in Mishawaka happened in 1970, while Ed has been there since 1969.
Now, 50 years later, when they decided that they are ready to retire in 2020, the moment was quite bittersweet for both of them. When they finally leave their workplace to the younger generations, it will be 100 years that they’ve helped the store combined. The milestone is not an accident – the Osowski couple planned the dates. “Five years ago, we didn’t even think about it but once it got close, then all [of a] sudden it became, ‘You know what? That’d be kind of neat,'” Ed recalled when talking about it with his wife. “Does it really mean anything other than us? Probably not, but to us, it’s like an accomplishment.”
Becky, 66, can’t help but chuckle at her first memories of Martin’s store – she said everything was so different back then. At 16, the woman was hired there as a cashier, and nothing was automated yet. “So the first cash register had a crank on the side or a little hole on the side that you flipped open, you put the crank in it and no power, no problem,” she explained. That’s when she met her future husband. In 1975, the two were already married, but they didn’t want to change their workplace. Believe it or not, it’s the only place Becky has worked!
From Generation To Generation
Thankfully, Becky doesn’t seem too bothered about only working in one place. “I thought about going somewhere else but talked to other people and they weren’t real happy at different jobs and it’s like ah, they made it worth my while to stay,” she stated.
Ed, on the other hand, earned several promotions over the years, since starting at the bottom! Right now, he works as the director of produce at the grocery store company’s headquarters. The job has allowed him to see some amazing places, places Ed hopes to take Becky to. “I’ve been to Honduras, several [places] in Central America, then also Holland [and] Spain. Holland buying tomatoes, Spain buying tomatoes and citrus,” he shared.
It’s not the end of the touching story! The married couple promoted their love of the store to their family as well. Their younger generation – three children and two grandchildren spent some time working at the Martin’s, following their elders’ path. And the store treated them just right.
“It’s been a great experience, it’s been a big family experience, lots of friends, lots of customers that have become friends and family,” Becky said with a big smile on her face.