Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — Hillside IGA recently joined a prestigious group of local entrepreneurial ventures that have achieved Business of the Year status.
“An anonymous nomination process is used to select the Business of the Year, based on the business’s support of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and town events,” said Janet Kelle, executive director of the Chamber.
Kelle said Hillside IGA, under the ownership of Scott and Rena Carlin, joins a respected list of businesses to receive the honor, with the award being presented during the Chamber’s annual dinner, held Feb. 12 at the VFW in Fort Fairfield.
“In 2008 it was I Care Pharmacy that took home the award and in 2007 McGillan Inc. was the recipient,” said Kelle.
Making the presentation was Carolyn Dorsey-Durepo.
“Carolyn read a letter from Vince Bernier, who originally owned Hillside IGA and hired Scott as a young man,” said Kelle, noting the letter was then given to the Carlins as a keepsake.
For approximately 30 years, Scott Carlin has been managing grocery stores, but his experience in the businesses goes back to his high school days.
“I’ve been in the grocery business since I was in high school. I started as a bag boy, then started managing in 1979, when I was 20, for Vince Bernier at Rideout’s IGA in Mars Hill,” said Scott Carlin.
Carlin managed the Mars Hill store until 1983.
“That’s when Vince bought Star City IGA. I moved back to Presque Isle and ran that facility. Then around 1986-87, Vince kind of hired me to be general manager of all three — Mars Hill, Presque Isle and the Fort Food Liner, located where Family Dollar is now in Fort Fairfield,” he said.
Eventually Bernier bought the current site of Hillside IGA and closed the store on the outskirts of town.
“I served as general manager for Vince until 1999, when I bought him out after working for him for about 20 years,” Carlin said.
Carlin now employs about 130 people at the three stores and credits them for his success.
“Much of the credit in Fort Fairfield goes to my manager, Steve Watson, and his crew,” said Carlin. “All three of my managers are really good. They deserve most of the credit, more so than I do. They work long hours, nights and weekends. At Hillside, my staff works hard every day to meet customers’ needs. Department Managers Paul and Andy do a great job, as does Charlene up front.”
Watson started as a bag boy and has worked his way up, much like Carlin did.
“Most all of our people start at the beginning and move up. We offer an opportunity for advancement at all three locations,” he said. “The more you can teach others, the easier it makes your own job.”
Carlin was at a loss for words to explain how he values his staff at all three locations.
“I can’t say enough about all my crew — from baggers and cashiers to management. We take pride in providing quality customer service,” said Carlin.
Carlin wished to thank his many customers over the years for their continued support.
“They’ve been very loyal,” said Carlin. “And I’d also like to thank the clubs in town — VFW, Lions Club, Rotary, snowmobile club. I like to do what I can to support local organizations. Their support is appreciated as well.”
For years, Carlin’s business has been a part of many Fort Fairfield activities and organizations.
“We support the Chamber. We sponsor the Potato Blossom Parade every year, the road race, bike race, the coloring contest and potato picking contest,” he said.
Carlin said being in the grocery business is definitely a full-time job, since folks rely on stores like his, especially for big family gatherings around the holidays.
“Thanksgiving and Christmas are pretty much the only holidays we’re closed,” he said.
In Fort Fairfield, Hillside IGA is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All three sites offer customers the opportunity to place special orders, according to Carlin.
“We do a lot of special orders. We do a lot of the cooking for most of the groups in Fort Fairfield — the Lions Club and others,” Carlin said. “We like to help those clubs out as much as we can, because they, in turn, give back to the community.”
For more information on Hilltop IGA or to place an order, call 473-7942.
Adding a bit of a twist to this year’s dinner was the fact that Carlin’s business not only won for Business of the Year, it also catered the dinner.
“We used to cater all the time. We do an occasional event now, including the Chamber dinner,” said Carlin.
Kelle said the meal was just as impressive as the business catering the function.
“We enjoyed prime rib and baked stuffed haddock. It was delicious,” said Kelle. “That’s one of the reasons Hilltop got the award this year. The Carlins and their staff go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community.”
Photo/Richard Nichols Photography
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR —Hillside IGA was selected as Business of the Year during the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. Accepting the award on behalf of the business were, seated, from left: Virginia Cote, Tina Jalbert, Charlene Argraves and Andi Fredette. In back: Jeff Beaulieu; Danielle Guay; Ben Troicke; Mary Twitchell; Paul Morgan; Steve Watson, store manager; Kimberly Watson; Josh Fredette; Rena and Scott Carlin, owners.
