Despite being in a business increasingly dominated by large national chains, Jumbo Foods continues to grow and thrive as Enid’s only locally owned and operated grocer.
Following a long career in the grocery business, Pat Blevins and his late wife Janice started the company 31 year ago, raising their three children, Gerald, Mike and Pam Huston, to take over the family business Since then, it has expanded to four locations and added an expanded deli and catering service, direct-from-the-ranch locally produced beef in the fresh meat case and Jumbo’s Express online shopping. Home delivery and in-store wine and spirits are also in the works. It’s all part of what Gerald describes as “adapting and changing” to keep pace with the times.
The Blevins family has always maintained a strong commitment to giving back to the community through events like their annual charity golf tournament. “We believe in supporting the community that supports us, and we seek to instill that same spirit in our employees,” Gerald says. “Enid is large enough to provide our 312 employees with great opportunities but also small enough that everyone has the chance to get involved and develop their leadership skills.”
“The best thing about Enid for us has been the quality and loyalty of our employees,” Mike adds.
In 2008, the family transitioned the business to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, a structure that ensures long-term employees have stock in the company and generous retirement benefits. “Our family could not imagine living and working anywhere else,” Gerald concludes.