Janice Powell retired near the end of 2015 after 43 years as an employee at Associated Foods in Clanton.

She began working on July 3, 1972, and has experienced a multitude of changes including four different store names and two major renovations.

As the grocery business evolved over the years with advances in technology, Powell remained a constant fixture through it all.

Powell has seen the transition from stamping prices, to the label gun and eventually the digital scanner.

She has displayed a versatility to adapt quickly and has held various jobs over the years, such as head cashier, assistant store manager and front-end manager, as well as many other duties.

“It helps to have a job that you love and appreciate,” Powell said. “It makes you want to put that effort back into the store.”

The relationships that she had developed with people that came through her checkout line through the years is what she misses the most as a retiree.

“I’ve seen children and grandchildren grow up over the years,” Powell said. “You talk about retiring, but when you do, it’s an adjustment. I had grown so close to a lot of customers.

Phillip Davis, whose grandfather opened Associated Foods in Clanton in 1957, worked with Powell for 22 of her 43 years.

“Her love and care for customers is irreplaceable,” Davis said.

According to Powell, Associated Foods has played an important role in her life. She even met her husband Tony 31 years ago, as he worked in the produce department at the time.

“It’s like a family, because you spend almost more time with your co-workers than you do your family members,” Powell said.

Associated Foods is planning to hold a retirement reception for Powell at the store on May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I’m grateful because it gives me a chance to catch up,” Powell said.

Former co-workers and customers are invited to join Powell’s family and friends for a community event.

“Many stores have come and gone, but Associated Foods has remained,” Davis said. “We’ve been glad to be blessed to have employees like Janice. A lot of them were her customers, and they miss that.”