ShopRite owner recognizes employees who helped them with five successful years

Many of the employees recognized by Joseph Family Markets at a recent employee appreciation luncheon.

CANTON – Five years ago, Chuck Joseph was packing up his daughter’s Volvo station wagon. He had a lot of work ahead of him. The destination was West Hartford and the Farmington Valley.

He had just retired after more than spending 30 years in the grocery industry. But a challenge lay ahead of him and his family.

He had just purchased two ShopRite stores that needed to be remodeled, staffed and stocked in a matter of weeks. So Chuck, his wife, Debbie, his son, Chuck, and his daughter, Liz, headed north to Connecticut to take on the challenge.

Five years later, Joseph Family Markets are celebrating their five-year anniversary with many of the people in the Canton and West Hartford stores that helped them arrive at this milestone.

The Joseph family held a service award and appreciation luncheon recently with more than 90 employees who have been with the company since its beginning in 2010. Chuck shared a few words about each of the employees and awarded them with a certificate, pin and jacket.

“We are so proud and thankful for all of our associates, but especially to those who have been with Joseph Family Markets since the beginning. People are at the foundation of a business, and we couldn’t do what we do every day without them,” Joseph said. “Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come, and tomorrow, we get to work on our future.”

The two stores employ more than 360 people in West Hartford and Canton. More photos from the event.