Tony Higginbotham is the new store manager of Food City in Powell. He transferred from the Clinton Highway store when former Powell manager Donny Rector was transferred to the Deane Hill store.
Higginbotham has worked for Food City for 22 years and got his first management post in 2005. He’s no stranger to Powell, having managed the store in Powell Place Center from 2008-12. He’s already attended the Powell Business & Professional Association and plans to be active in the community.
Tony and wife Tracy live in Jacksboro with two daughters: Kalyn, 18, and Addison, 8.
“Powell is a growing store and Food City is a growing company,” he said, citing Food City’s recent job fair. The company will hire courtesy clerks (AKA baggers) as young as 14. Employment information is available online at foodcity.com.
Although Tony is new, the Powell store management team is intact: Rachel Walker, human resources; Dewey Brummett, meat; Marlo Williams, produce; Connie Bartley, deli; Josh Turner, head cashier; Tina Corrum, interim floor manager; and Steve Walker, pharmacy manager. Assistant store managers are Duane Gerou, Joel Goff and Ryan Lynn.
There’s always something going on at Food City. For example, the meat smoker will return sometime this summer. Tony said the schedule will be released after Memorial Day and will be posted in the meat department. May 18 was “midnight madness” with specials throughout the store and a packed parking lot. Other innovations include:
The pharmacy has expanded hours, now open Saturdays until 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6.
The Gas ‘N’ Go fuel center makes filling up easy. In addition to discounts based on store purchases, the center is fully staffed, 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Products include all grades of gasoline including diesel.
Wine sales are growing, following the company-led initiative with the state legislature. And this year the industry scored again, gaining passage of a bill to enable wine sales on Sundays. That new law is effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Go-Kart, an internet-linked program in which personal shoppers select items for customers who then pick up and pay for the groceries without leaving their car. Libby Harrison “does an outstanding job” with the program in Powell, Higginbotham said. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Ready-to-eat foods are available in multiple ways: There’s a grill for custom breakfast and a lunch buffet where a meat plus bread and two sides costs just $6.99 plus tax. Specialty cakes are prepared in the deli, along with meat and cheese trays and a variety of slices meats, cheeses and salads.
A fresh bar includes self-serve snack and salad items. You make your own and pay by the pound ($5.99 plus tax). Buy five and get the sixth free, up to $5.
Food City offers the product selection of larger stores with the convenience of close-to-home shopping from people you know.