If there is anyone who knows groceries, it’s Andy Missler. With over fifty years experience in the industry, Missler has plenty of firsthand knowledge of the ins and outs of the business. Yet at 68, the owner of Missler’s Supervalu has decided that it is time to retire and pass the store on to his son, John.
Missler began his career in the grocery business in 1952. At 17 years old, he signed up for a part-time position as a stocker and carryout boy for Krogers. Over the course of the next 28 years, Missler moved his way up the company ladder, working positions from meat cutter to manager and numerous odd jobs in between.
His hard work and perseverance paid off. Beginning in 1981, Missler took over a store in Willard, OH, and for a dozen years ran a Supervalu store. At that point, Missler was presented with an opportunity he couldn’t resist.
“I asked Supervalu to let me know about any openings, and in 1994 they told me about Oberlin,” Missler said. Accepting the offer, Missler’s Supervalu opened for business shortly after.
Unlike other Oberlin area supermarket chains such as IGA, Giant Eagle or Super K, Missler’s is essentially an independent grocer. Although the lease is owned by Supervalu, which handles accounting and advertising, Missler and son take care of the other day to day operations. From weekly decisions concerning the purchasing of merchandise to the hiring of employees, the two have been intimately involved with the store.
Much has happened during Missler’s years in the business, and the changes that have occurred in technology have had the furthest-reaching effects. The traditional practices — labeling individual items and then inputting these prices manually, for example — have been replaced by human labor-saving devices.
“No doubt about it,” Missler remarked, “technology has helped a lot.”
Yet it is not the technology but the people that Missler remembers most, and in recalling past and present workers, Missler is direct and unequivocal in his praise.
“Getting good people has made the store a success. The key employees who run the departments have done a great job, and I’m very thankful for them.”
In fact, one Missler’s Supervalu employee has gone on to become a celebrity in his own right: Charles Grigsby, recent “American Idol” finalist, worked at the store in high school.
“Charles would come in during the days, and then at night he would go home and sing!” Missler said with a laugh.
At the same time, Missler remembers his customers with equal affection. “Over the years I was able to meet many people, and I think it is the customers I will miss the most.”
Missler has no definite retirement plans at the moment. Still, he is considering returning to work again at some point for his son John, who in addition to the Oberlin Missler’s will continue to run the store in Willard. But regardless of where he ends up, Andy Missler is content.
“I’ve been very blessed in my life. I can’t complain.”