It was time to leave the grocery business for Karen Thomas, but make no mistake, it was anything but easy.
Thomas, of Mexico, recently wrapped up a solid three decades working in various stores …
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![Mexico's Karen Thomas recently hung it up after three decades working in the grocery business. [Submitted]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20220812-111547-A3%208-10%20Karen%20Thomas.jpg)
It was time to leave the grocery business for Karen Thomas, but make no mistake, it was anything but easy.
Thomas, of Mexico, recently wrapped up a solid three decades working in various stores in a myriad of roles since the late 1980s and it was time to finally step away.
“It was a hard decision,” Thomas said. “My husband and I do a lot of camping and one of our things is to get out. He is retiring in March, and we have a camper, and we would like to get out and go.
“One of my best friends is anxious to go traveling and I told her to figure out where we are going, and we will get going. It’s also nice to get stuff done at the house too.”
Thomas worked the past seven years at Moser’s but began her career with Plaza IGA then moved on to Pringers until it closed down. She then matriculated to Hickman’s South before heading to County Market and ultimately wrapping up at Moser’s.
Some of the roles Thomas held included positions that focused on general merchandise – ordering products – being a night manager (while at Moser’s) and many others.
“I started out in checking, but I got to a point where being a night manager, I had the responsibility that everyone is doing their jobs,” Thomas said. “I like to help the employees trying to learn different products and how to do things right.
“Every day was a different day. You never know when something new comes up. You have your routine things you do, but when the new thing comes up and you have to deal with something new, it will get your heart pumping really good.”
The customers kept Thomas around for so many years as she enjoyed assisting them with their needs at the respective stores.
Randy Barnes, manager of Moser’s, had plenty of time working with Thomas and came away from the experience with nothing but superlatives.
“She’s an exceptional person and worker,” Barnes said. “She really cared about the job and the stores she worked at.
“I worked with her at Hickman’s for a number of years. She is reliable and honest.”
Thomas came from Macon and moved to Mexico all those years ago and has stayed loyal to the city.
“Working grocery business is always a good one to be in,” Thomas said. “They have been really kind to me. If I ever needed time off, they always worked with a person’s schedule.
“It was hard to (say goodbye).”
