A lot of things have changed at Albertsons and ND Pharmacy over the last 25 years, but during those changes, the store has adapted and continues to keep service a top priority.
"Service has always been at the top of our list," ND Pharmacy owner Bob Treitline said. "Both businesses value service. And through that, this partnership has worked pretty well for us."
The grocery store and pharmacy in north Dickinson is celebrating 25 years of business, and while the name may have changed over the years, the store itself continues to be a fixture in the Dickinson community.
"We have a lot of pride," store manager Steve Ludwig said. "We are proud to serve Dickinson and look forward to doing so in the years to come."
The store first opened its doors in late October 1982 as Buttrey-Osco.
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"At the time, the store was really cutting edge," general merchandise manager Todd Krehlik said. "We had scanners. At that time, grocery stores were just in the process of going from hand marking everything to the scanning systems."
The store was owned and operated under two separate management structures. Buttrey sold groceries, while the Osco side sold non-perishables. When ND Pharmacy received its pharmacy permit in May 1983, the three businesses were under one roof.
"There was a definite division between the two stores," Treitline said. "There was a non-food side and a food side. It was two different companies and each side had its own management structure."
In 1985, Buttrey bought out the Osco side of the store and operated under one management structure.
In October 1998, Albertson's purchased the Buttrey company. Although the store didn't experience any changes as a direct result of new ownership, both companies were run very similarly, Krehlik added.
"I think the biggest change on the grocery side with Albertsons, we got away from the night-stocking shifts," assistant store manager Dale Dolecheck said. "We do a lot more of the daytime stocking so we're able to interact with the customers more and offer better customer service."
Two of the keys to Albertsons success are customer and employee loyalty. Fifteen employees have more than 15 years of experience in the Albertsons store.
"We have a very high percentage of long-term employees in our store and it's probably because we make it a fun and inviting place to work," Krehlik said. "We've always been able to keep fun in everything we do as we adapt and change. That's one thing that hasn't changed."
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Three employees, Don Gartner, Char Ridl and Laura Meduna, have been at the store since it opened in 1982. Their dedication is a combination of commitment to co-workers, customers and the company.
"I've enjoyed the people I work with," Ridl said. "That's probably one of the biggest reasons I've stayed. The employees I work with are almost like family."
Meduna couldn't agree more.
"I love the people I work with," she said. "You're with them eight hours of your day, five days a week, so it's like a second family. I can't say enough about the people I work with. They're there for us when we need them. I really don't know if I could go to another job and have what I have here, the friendship, the camaraderie."
With service as a top priority for the business, it's no wonder the employees also develop a relationship with the customers.
"We see them day in and day out," Ridl said. "You see a customer bring in their new baby. You see their toddlers turn into teenagers."
"We've had some of our dearest customers pass away," Meduna added. "And it's hard for us because we have seen them consistently over the years."
The company also makes it a priority to take care of it employees with one of the best benefits packages in the industry, Krehlik said.
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"The different bosses I've had have all been good to me," Gartner said. "I hope I can keep on working for awhile yet."
