Fifty years of friendship and fun at Piggly Wiggly

Some of their co-workers have not been alive as long as Dale Haley and Ricky Watkins have been at their jobs.

For 50 years, both men have been employed at the same Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Franklin, Kentucky, and are now in their 60s.

On May 11, Haley, the store's manager, celebrated his 50th work anniversary, while Watkins, the store's meat manager, will reach the same milestone on Sept. 6.

Some employees at the store are as young as 16, just like Haley and Watkins were when they first started working there.

In the 1960s, Haley's first job was bagging groceries and organizing the stockroom, which paid between $1 and $2 an hour, depending on their weekly schedule.

Haley and Watkins became fast friends after meeting in September 1964 at the store, and they often played pool together after their shifts as teenagers.

Those after-school jobs quickly evolved into fulfilling, lifelong careers for the Kentuckians.

Haley and Watkins began working at the store as full-time associates after high school graduation. According to Watkins, many of his classmates and friends chose careers in manufacturing and farming, which did not interest him. "Additionally, they offered lower pay," the 65-year-old remarks.

Haley, now 66, didn't initially realize that her job at the store would lead to a successful career. However, she continued to get promoted and eventually became the assistant manager at the age of 20. She found more reasons to stay than to leave.

Since 1986, Watkins has been the meat manager.

He works from 4:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, while Haley works from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays.

According to Indeed, the salary for a store manager at Piggly Wiggly ranges from $34,000 to $109,000 per year, while the pay for a meat manager ranges from $42,000 to $76,000.

"Haley remarks that each day brings something new to learn, whether it's fixing a malfunctioning machine or introducing a new product, keeping her job exciting and challenging."

His favorite aspect of managing the store is interacting with people, including assisting customers and engaging in casual conversations with his colleagues.

"Haley says, "We feel like family here. Work feels like home.""

Watkins says that his favorite memories at work are the spontaneous cookouts he and his co-workers have at the grill that's permanently parked in the store's lot. He adds that they have seen each other through birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other milestones.

Neither man intends to retire anytime soon, as stated by Watkins: "I'd go down to part-time, but I wouldn't retire completely."

Older Americans are increasingly working longer, with the average retirement age rising to 62 last year from 59 in the early 2000s, according to Gallup. Many Americans are continuing to work into their 70s and beyond due to longer life spans, changing attitudes about retirement, and insufficient savings. For some, it's simply a matter of enjoying what they do and never considering retirement.

Haley claims that the key to a successful and content career is straightforward: maintain a clean record.

"He advises against stealing or shoplifting, being late to work, and doing your best to excel in your job. If you follow these guidelines, you'll likely maintain employment for a long time and develop a passion for it."

Despite the significant changes that have occurred in the retail industry over the past 50 years, including the replacement of ink stampers with scanners and the widespread use of phones for payment at checkout, Watkins claims that his time working at Piggly Wiggly has gone by in a flash. Despite the passage of time, he still enjoys his job as much as he did on his first day.

Haley shares the same viewpoint: "Time passes quickly when you're enjoying yourself."

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