By ELSIE DENTON
News intern
July 4, 2007
For the last 26 years Mid Valley Market in Odell has
been in the capable hands of Kathie and John Alley. The time has finally
come for them to bid adieu to the grocers business.
On Friday, June 29, Mid Valley Market officially
changed hands and became property of Y.H.C. Enterprises owned by Yong and
Meyong Cho.
The Alleys had been considering the eventual sale of
the business for a while. Way back in 1992 after they expanded to store by
3,000 square feet to its current 10,000-square-foot dimensions, Kathie
said that selling the business would make for a good retirement.
John said that the Alleys had chosen this moment to
sell due to health issues and a desire to keep the store functioning at
the same high level that customers are used to.
Times have changed a bit during the Alleys’ tenure as
owners and managers of the store.
The store was once considered a full-scale supermarket,
but as bigger stores have moved in and community needs have changed it is
now a mid-sized community store. Not that that is a problem. The Alleys
have always geared Mid Valley Market to serve families and the community.
The Alleys have said that one of the main joys of
owning the grocery was interaction with their workers and the community.
“The customers have been wonderful,” said John.
“Friends, families and neighbors: The store is us. It has been our
identity for the last 26 years. It is going to be hard to give it up.”
Even though you will no longer find them stocking
shelves you will still be able to see their smiling faces around the
community; John said that he and Kathie still intend to continue their
extensive community involvement. The next challenge facing the Alleys will
be what to do with all of their free time.
Yong Cho was originally from Korea but most recently he
and his wife called Portland their home. John said that the Chos have the
smarts and energy needed to run the market.
The Alleys were very careful when choosing their
successors.
“Finding the right people was pretty important,” said
John. “The gentleman (new owner) is an independent. He is not going to
make the market into a chain; he’ll keep it a community grocery.”
When you visit Mid Valley Market you probably won’t
notice many changes. Most of the staff is the same and the new owners are
keeping the same supplier. You may even see John around; he is staying on
for a month to help smooth the transition. John and Kathie both hope that
the community will extend a warm welcome to the Chos and help keep Mid
Valley Market going strong.
