50 years in Flora

Comet photo

Stephan’s IGA celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday with a customer appreciation BBQ and special tribute to the store and community. Mark Grube, area sales director for Super Valu, the store’s distributor, and Jim Poller, Super Valu retail business consultant, were on hand to lead the tribute. They presented store owner Trent Stephan with a framed picture commemorating 50 years of family ownership. Stephan credited his parents, the late Robert and Bonita Stephan and the store’s original owners, with the opportunities they presented to him. He was also appreciative of current and past employees and the community for its support. He recognized long-time employees, Chuck Wolf, 38 years; Nancy Maxwell, 37 years; and Tim Ballew, 35 years, along with eight other employees who have worked between 10 and 27 years at the family-owned grocery. “And we would not be here without all our great customers,” he concluded. Pictured with Stephan are his wife, Stephanie, and sister, Cynthia Walton of Lynchburg, Va. Not pictured, but on hand for the festivities, was Stephan’s and Walton’s 102-year-old grandmother, Mildred Gasaway, herself a former Stephan’s IGA employee.