Frankfort, KY - October 14, 2009: Greg Godby, owner, Greg’s Supermarkets in Clinton & Bardwell, KY was honored as 2009 Grocer of the Year on during the Kentucky Grocers Association/Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores (KGA/KACS) 68th Celebration & Annual Meeting.
Greg Godby was introduced to 230 KGA/KACS Celebration attendees by one of his store managers, Danny Adams, and talked about what it means to him personally to be an independent grocery store operator. Danny Adams has the unique distinction of being a store manager for two Kentucky Grocer of the Year recipients–Bill Gore in 1991 and now Greg Godby. Greg accepted the award on behalf of all the independent grocers in small communities like his across Kentucky.
Commenting on young people working in his store, Greg said, “Nothing makes me more proud than when someone works for me in high school, through college, and then goes on to become a teacher, an engineer, or any other career they choose. I am now at the point where they are beginning to send their kids in for jobs.” Greg also commented that the last 16 years in Clinton & Hickman County have been wonderful and a great place to live and a raise a family.
Greg’s stores serve a large population of senior citizens and his concern for their welfare is important beyond their grocery needs. He continually encourages his employees to make conversation with senior citizens because for many it is the only contact with people they will have that day.
Greg began his 35 year career in the food industry in 1974 as a bagger at the 6th Avenue IGA in his hometown of St. Albans, WV. He joined Kroger as a cashier in 1975 when they opened their first superstore there. He worked his way through the ranks while finishing high school and after graduating from West Virginia State College with a teaching degree.
In 1981 he entered the Kroger management training program in Charlotte, NC.He held several management positions in the Carolinas until Kroger left the Charlotte market in 1989. He then moved to Memphis with Malone & Hyde/Fleming where he conducted training seminars, worked with stores on labor scheduling, and as a retail counselor. In November 1993, he became the General Partner with The Retail Markets Limited Partnership and purchased a store in Clinton, KY and operated it as Greg’s IGA. In 1995, he joined AWG Springfield and began operating as he still does today as Greg’s Supermarket. He added a second store in Bardwell, KY in 1997 and now both stores proudly serve Carlisle and Hickman Counties in Western Kentucky. He is currently supplied by AWG-Memphis.
Greg is blessed to be married to his wife of 30 years, Kim and has two children, Ryan and his wife Marinda of Mayfield and Megan, a high school senior at Hickman County High School. He attends Clinton First Methodist Church, is a Certified Lay speaker for the Methodist church, serves as Lay Director in Training for the Purchase Area Chrysalis, and is a member of the Carlisle and Hickman County Booster Clubs and Chamber of Commerce. He also is a volunteer assistant softball coach for Hickman County High School and is a substitute teacher in his spare time. He enjoys tennis and is an avid college sports fan. He also served on the KGA committee that worked with the state on WIC program reforms.
Like all retailers he tries to be as much a part of the community as resources allow. That’s why his store slogan says Greg’s Supermarket…”Where Nice Matters”.
About the Kentucky Grocers Association & Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores (KGA/KACS):
Founded in 1941, the Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores is a joint statewide trade association representing approximately 550 member companies operating in a retail food and convenience marketplace of 3,300 locations across Kentucky. Membership includes retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and related suppliers to the grocery, supermarket, and convenience store industries.
