A longtime familiar face around Wilton is preparing to say ‘Farewell!’ Village Market deli manager Gary Mineo is retiring, and tomorrow, Thursday, June 26 will be his last day. Store managers are hoping Wilton shoppers will stop by the store on Thursday to bid him good-bye. Considering how many people in Wilton Gary knows, they could expect a lot of people for his last day.
“I’m certainly going to miss the clientele a lot. I’ve bonded with a lot of them, and I got to know them, and know their children, and even their grandchildren. A lot of them I actually worked with, when they were in high school–and now they come in and they have children of their own. It’s like a whole generation that I’ve seen come and go,” Gary recalled.
With such a long run in one place, he says it shows what a great place Village Market is to work.
“I’ve really enjoyed working here, first under Peter Keating, a very fair and kind boss. It’s been a wonderful place to work, I enjoyed working here, with the staff. It’s a very congenial place to be.”
General manager Nancy Dolnier looks back fondly at Gary’s stint as deli manger, a job he’s held since his first day more than 35 years ago. “He’s got a lot of fans, and he’s a master at slicing smoked salmon. I hope he’s passed along that secret, although I don’t know if just anyone will have his special touch,” she laughs.
What made Gary so appealing? “I think it’s because he’s such an easy-going guy. He’s happy to smile and be pleasant, and do exactly what the customer asks. That’s what his key to success was. He’s a real goof-ball, he’s always got a funny joke for people.”
His longevity is also testament to the kind of family-owned store Village Market is, one that cultivates a family-feel among its employees. “He’s very dedicated too,” Nancy adds. “The shortest tenure of any of our managers is minimum 15 years. Most of us–Gary, me, Terry, Bob–we’re all in the 30-plus years range. It is a tribute to what [original owner] Peter Keating created.”
Gary and his wife, who also is retiring, plan on “getting off the treadmill.”
“We both have a couple things in the bucket we want to do, and maybe take some small trips. We’re thinking about going to Florida in the wintertime. And just kick back to enjoy life,” he says.
One thing he will miss is the Village Market made-from-scratch pumpkin bread. “I have a sweet tooth and I do like the baked goods here. But the pumpkin bread, it’s something we always do around the holidays, and it’s the same recipe. It always sticks in my mind. Along with our egg potato salad, I always bring that home.”
Take it from the expert, 35 years worth. We’ll miss you, Gary!
(Pictured above: Retiring Village Market deli manager Gary Mineo, with store owner Tim Dolnier)