Mitchell Retires After 50 Years in Merchandising

SEELEY LAKE – Rovero's Store Manager Pat Mitchell is retiring after 50 years in the retail business. Mitchell felt he created a laid back atmosphere for the customers and employees at Rovero's while bringing in a diversity of products. He is looking forward to travelling in his retirement.

After moving to Seeley Lake in 1999 Mitchell worked as the manager for Wold's Valley Market. Mitchell knew owner Bruce Wold from when he worked in Chinook, Washington as a retail merchandiser for Buttrey Food and Drug.

Mitchell managed Wold's for six years until he was offered the general manager position at Rovero's 12 and a half years ago.

"Grocery business is a high stress industry. Hardware is a little different," said Mitchell who enjoyed the change.

Mitchell remembers hand stamping everything and running everything through the hand-cranked cash register. When the electronics came out, tellers didn't have to hand-crank the register anymore. Computerized ordering came next followed by scanners and the computerized systems they deal with today.

"The technology has just changed the whole industry," said Mitchell.

When Mitchell started at Rovero's, he felt he brought a different management style and attitude to the store.

"I'm really a people person. I really tried to make sure my employees have a life. This isn't their life, this is their job," said Mitchell.

Mitchell said he enjoyed merchandising and creating displays for different products. He also liked customers and his staff at Rovero's.

"I brought a laid back attitude with my customers. I want my employees to engage the customers on a personal note," said Mitchell. "I think I helped implement that."

He appreciated the freedom he had working under retired owner Addrien Marx.

"Addrien pretty much trusted me with everything as far as the administration," said Mitchell. "She gave me a lot of latitude."

With the new owners of Rovero's in 2016, Mitchell said they have done a lot of different merchandising and now offer more convenience foods and beverages.

"I've always said if you know retail, it doesn't matter if you are stacking cans or stacking something out here like motor oil," said Mitchell. "Retail is retail."

Mitchell is looking forward to traveling with his wife Lynn in their RV. Plans included visiting family and friends, helping Lynn's cousin on his balloon crew at two Hot Air Balloon festivals in Albuquerque, N.M. and Gallup, N.M. and hopefully the opportunity to work on the Rose Bowl floats for 2019.

"We just want to travel for a while and do all the national parks that we can," said Mitchell.

The community is invited to an Open House Dec. 28 at Rovero's from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to celebrate Mitchell's retirement. Come enjoy coffee and cake and share your fondest memories of Mitchell.