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When the late Bob Hitchcock started his family business
in 1945 it was just a tiny grocery store on Main Street
in Alachua. Hitchcock had no idea that this little store
would turn into a chain of supermarkets throughout
Alachua County and its surrounding areas. Even during
the early days, quality customer service was a hallmark
of Hitchcock’s. Today, that quality service is what
separates Hitchcock’s from its competitors. At its flagship
Alachua location, you’ll always see Margaret in the bakery
department or Gabrielle in the produce section helping
customers find the products they want.
Thanks to the elder Hitchcock’s son Alan, and his family,
Hitchcock’s has been an area institution for decades.
Quality, affordability and friendliness are reasons why customers keep
on coming back to the chain of stores that are under the Hitchcock name.
Recently, the Hitchcock family sold their stores to Haug Companies,
a family owned business for over 30 years. Haug also owns a chain
of grocery stores based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Indianapolis,
Indiana. Company Vice President Wayne Josleyn will run the daily
operations of the Hitchcock’s stores around the area, and he assures
everyone that they can expect the same quality products and services
under the Hitchcock name.
“We want to continue the tradition of Alan Hitchcock and what his family
has done for the past years, and we’re going to advance this good name
as far as possible.”
New stores will replace existing ones in both Old Town and Astor in the
future. Hitchcock’s has stores in Alachua, Putnam, Lake, Dixie, Gilchrist,
Clay and Levy counties.
The future is indeed exciting for Hitchcock’s customers and employees.
Wayne says customers will see an expanded selection of organic foods
and hormone free products. The company will emphasize at least one or
two organic products in their weekly advertisements. He explained that
organic foods are becoming a popular trend on the dinner table for many
people. Hitchcock’s has organic celery, Raisin Bran, coffee and organic
beans. These items are often hard to find in other grocery stores, but you
don’t have to worry when you go to a Hitchcocks’s to find these healthy
organic items. “It’s important to give more choices for the family.” Wayne
explains.
Also, customers will have more choices in both the meat and deli
department. There will be more selections of leaner meat, and the deli
will start offering natural hormone free products, along with its standard
selection of meats. Hitchcock’s will still offer delicious hot breakfasts and
lunches, including their tasty grits and crispy fried chicken, which Wayne
told me was voted the best chicken in Alachua County. The bakery will
see some tasty enhancements with an additional variety of breads for
customers to choose from. Hitchcock’s will continue to offer
customers the finest British food you will find in the area. You’ll
see favorites such as mince pies, polo mints and other British
goodies. Natural foods manager Springs Williams is committed
to helping customers find the items there’re looking for, and if
an item is not there, she makes sure it arrives on the shelf in a
timely manner. Their line of British food is so popular many Brits
drive miles, and even hours to have a taste of their favorite native
food.
Charity and community involvement has always been a hallmark
of Hitchcock’s. The store always has a float in the annual Alachua
Christmas Parade and hosts a yearly golf tournament for muscular
dystrophy. Wayne wants Hitchcock’s to become even more
involved in disease prevention, and mentioned that raising money
to fight diseases goes hand-in-hand with Hitchcock’s mission of
selling a variety of healthy products like organic foods to promote
a healthy lifestyle for their customers.
Haug Companies will continue the tradition of excellence,
affordable products and friendly customer service that Hitchcock’s
has provided to customers for decades. |
