I had just read an article in the newspaper titled "Happiness is a warm 'thank you' in the Christian Science Monitor before my interview with the owner at Royal River. Marilyn Gardner, the Monitor staff writer, says "Ask bosses what makes employees happy at work, and many are likely to think in terms of tangible rewards: a good salary, a pleasant office, generous benefits." Marilyn goes on to say, "...workplace specialists are discovering that for many workers, the "happiness factor" depends heavily on intangibles, such as respect, trust, and fairness"
Ruth Finch who comes from Connecticut is the founder and owner of Royal River Foods. She is fully committed to taking good care of her workers. This fact is proven out when former workers move away, but return to Maine to visit Royal River and express their appreciation for the special place that it is. Customers like this place so much that they periodically ask Ruth whether she would consider opening other stores in Maine or even out-of-state. For Ruth, her workers are like extended family and she takes good care of them by offering a profit sharing program. Founded 14 years ago when Ruth had two small children, she came up with the idea to start her own organic market. She said to me that she had no idea how hard it would be to start her own business. Had she known, she might not have even tried.
Ruth Finch who comes from Connecticut is the founder and owner of Royal River Foods. She is fully committed to taking good care of her workers. This fact is proven out when former workers move away, but return to Maine to visit Royal River and express their appreciation for the special place that it is. Customers like this place so much that they periodically ask Ruth whether she would consider opening other stores in Maine or even out-of-state. For Ruth, her workers are like extended family and she takes good care of them by offering a profit sharing program. Founded 14 years ago when Ruth had two small children, she came up with the idea to start her own organic market. She said to me that she had no idea how hard it would be to start her own business. Had she known, she might not have even tried.
Royal River is all about providing quality organic food and being one of a very select few outlets that support Maine organic farmers. Ruth began her career in organic natural food working many years ago at the "Good Day Market" in Portland. Ruth first started Royal River Natural Foods in Yarmouth, at that time hardly anyone in this area knew what Tofu was. Today world headquarters is located in a beautiful building on US Route 1 in Freeport.
Tina Wilcoxson, the general manager, is from the county. She has been with Ruth for 12 years. Tina said that in 2007, 25% of goods sold at Royal River were from ME organic producers. Tina loves the work culture at Royal River so much as evidenced by her 12 years of service. She said, "If I didn't like it here, I would have moved on a long time ago". Tina's husband calls her the "mayor" because she is recognized everywhere she goes. When Tina and her husband reached the summit of Tumbledown mountain, within minutes a Royal River customer was madly waving and hollering out her name.
Doug hails from Easton Massachusetts. He is the grocery manager who coined the phrase "the home office is upstairs" Indeed the home office of Royal River Foods knows how to satisfy their Freeport, Pownal, and Yarmouth customer base. Ruth saw a customer in the store that has been shopping here for 14 years. You'll see her in the above photo with Ruth's arm around her! So, no need to call Austin Texas to find out what the corporate office feels is right for the Maine organic client base! I don't think I will ever feel quite comfortable shopping at the new Portland big box organic food store ever again.
Tina Wilcoxson, the general manager, is from the county. She has been with Ruth for 12 years. Tina said that in 2007, 25% of goods sold at Royal River were from ME organic producers. Tina loves the work culture at Royal River so much as evidenced by her 12 years of service. She said, "If I didn't like it here, I would have moved on a long time ago". Tina's husband calls her the "mayor" because she is recognized everywhere she goes. When Tina and her husband reached the summit of Tumbledown mountain, within minutes a Royal River customer was madly waving and hollering out her name.
Doug hails from Easton Massachusetts. He is the grocery manager who coined the phrase "the home office is upstairs" Indeed the home office of Royal River Foods knows how to satisfy their Freeport, Pownal, and Yarmouth customer base. Ruth saw a customer in the store that has been shopping here for 14 years. You'll see her in the above photo with Ruth's arm around her! So, no need to call Austin Texas to find out what the corporate office feels is right for the Maine organic client base! I don't think I will ever feel quite comfortable shopping at the new Portland big box organic food store ever again.
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On Monday February 4, 2008, the owner of Royal River Foods wrote me a very nice e-mail which I want to share with you. She says, "Thank you so much for such a wonderful article - you really captured the essence of our business - and really put together a wonderful article...You have done a wonderful thing for the store, and the community - Thank you again!!!"
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