Grace Eyler

We all have high hopes that retirement will one day bring us relaxation and more time with friends and family. Officially on June 1, 2021, Emmitsburg’s Jubilee Grocery Store’s long-time manager, Rich Boyd, will join the ranks of the retired and discover the truth or fallacy of that assumption.

Over the course of 40 years, Jubilee Foods (formerly known as SuperThrift until 1993) has been lucky enough to have Rich on the team as store manager. He’s seen many changes during his career, including the extension of store hours and the 12,000-square-foot expansion of the Emmitsburg store in 1998. Not long after, Steve Trout and Lorne Peters purchased the store in 2000.

Rich has many fond memories of his time with Jubliee. “I could write a book,” he said.

He has been a jack-of-all trades throughout the years, and he has been able to work wherever he’s needed and at any given time. Most people wouldn’t guess what his favorite part of the job is: stocking yogurt. Many of us passing through Jubilee would frequently see Rich alongside Margaret or Jeff, carefully stocking stacks of yogurt. As it turns out, Rich doesn’t only enjoy the challenge of perfectly stacked yogurt, but it’s been his favorite time to get out and chat with his customers as they strolled through the store.

A resident of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, he has been very involved in the Emmitsburg community throughout his employment with Jubilee by helping the Vigilant Hose Company, Catoctin’s Safe & Sane, Mother Seton School, our local 4-H groups during the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, and various other groups and churches. Many may, or may not, know that Jubilee wasn’t Rich’s only job. You may have seen him bartending over at Carroll Valley Golf Club in the past. There he helped his fellow golfers have a good time for almost 10 years.

“It’s just been a pleasure working in such a fine community, with some of the best people,” he said.

Rich is extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to hire teenagers working their first job, with many of them branching into their own successful careers. Some of his former employees’ children work with him now.

“I am grateful and humbled at the many customers who have given me well-wishes and very kind words. I’ve been overcome with the amount of support and love I’ve been shown from the community.”

Rich plans to plunge into retired life by getting caught up on housework, visiting his three sons and his grandchildren, and enjoying lots of sunny days golfing.

Courtesy Photo

Rich Boyd is shown in the office of the former Emmitsburg SuperThrift.

Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding

Jubilee’s assistant managers, Tim Ridenour and Gabe Baker, jokingly give store manager, Rich Boyd, the boot out the door to retirement.

Courtesy Photo

Pictured left to right are Sharen Cool, Michele Orndorff, Rich Boyd, grandson Tommy Boyd, Brandi Houck, Megan Cool.