The recent Gazette story about Rich Cooper’s retirement prompts me to express my gratitude. As a resident of Florence since the early 1980s, then in my early 20s and with a toddler in tow, Cooper’s Corner was nearly in our backyard. We often lacked a reliable car to get to the King Street grocery stores (not yet dubbed supermarkets). Cooper’s grew alongside us, and I felt a camaraderie as the store expanded inventory to support our food needs. Cooper’s tagline ‘When you run out, run in’ reflects Rich’s humility. He’s grown the store over the years to go well beyond that simple message. It’s not just about convenience — they are a primary grocery market for me, with food selections that are just plain impressive. As I often say, everyone should have a Cooper’s Corner. Rich also has had a generational impact on the community, both for employees and customers. My daughter grew up a Cooper’s shopper and remains so even now when she comes back from Queens for visits. Thank you, Rich.
Maureen Scanlon
Florence