
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 4, 1995                   TAG: 9503060034
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

BELOVED BOSS GETS FAREWELL KISS FROM CO-WORKERS

Jack Reed knew something was up Thursday when he was tipped off that a reporter and photographer would be dropping by his Kroger store on Main Street. He just didn't know what to expect.

Reed had announced that he would begin his retirement today, after managing the Christiansburg store for 14 years. Beloved by his employees, Reed had already been feted at a dinner and a luncheon. Thursday afternoon, when his employees started gathering near the front door of the homey store, Reed knew his grand finale had arrived.

That's when Francine, the Kissing Bandit, walked through the door.

Bearing balloons and wearing a cape and mask, Francine called Reed front and center. He stepped up with a big smile on his face, a common expression for this man who seems to be perpetually happy.

Francine serenaded Reed with original lyrics sung to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine," to the delight of the dozens of people watching.

Then came the Kissing Bandit's trademark - a squirt of breath freshener and a big ... bag of chocolate kisses.

Afterward, Reed took a few minutes to reflect on his career and the management style that has endeared him to his employees and customers.

"I don't criticize people when they make mistakes," he said. "I criticize them when they quit trying. You learn when you make mistakes."

Reed is known among his customers for always having a kind word.

"My customers are at ease here because I've always been here for them."

His employees, too, look upon him with affection.

"We'll miss him very much," said Gail Moles, a front-end supervisor at the store who helped arrange Francine's visit. A long-time employee at the store, Moles said she and her colleagues "kind of took care of him" when Reed arrived from a Roanoke Kroger. We "took him under our wings."

All told, Reed has worked for Kroger for 39 years.

After all the hoopla, Reed said Thursday that he had plans to "slip out tomorrow. I want to ease out and go gracefully."

The 58-year-old said he is retiring now because he still has his health, and he and his wife would like to spend time with their grandkids.

"I stay in a good mood," he said. "I feel great."

by CNB