Local Cooper’s Foods store manager Rob Bett worked his last day in Princeton on Friday, April 11, 2014. Bett begins his new position in Revelstoke, B.C., on Tuesday, April 15.
Rob Bett greeted the public with a huge smile as the doors to the brand new Cooper’s Foods opened in Princeton on May 17, 2011, just shy of four years ago.
Thanks to his commitment to his customers and community, Cooper’s Foods has become an avid community supporter.
Numerous community fundraisers are held at the store. Cooper’s assists Princeton Crisis Assistance with donations as well as in-store programs to raise food for the food bank each year. Providing fundraising space, deals, or donation, Cooper’s Foods sponsors many of the Princeton groups and events in one form or another.
Bett and all of the staff at Cooper’s Foods are known for their spirit and great sense of community. Staff members dress up for various special dates like Rodeo Days, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas. Even the big pink fuzzy bunny has been spotted at Cooper’s in the spring.
“This one is a hard transfer,” said Debbie Hearty, veteran employee of the Overwaitea Food Group. Rob is a good boss, fair boss and has a great sense of humour. And when and if an employee needed something, he didn’t hesitate, he was right there,” she adds.
Bett was not just a boss to his employees, he was considered a friend to many. Prior to his management position at Cooper’s Foods, Bett had been a member of the community years before, working as the lead hand at the old Overwaitea store. He had transferred to another position for a while and then returned to Princeton again to manage Cooper’s.
The staff at Cooper’s decided to give their manager a royal send off. On Thursday afternoon they wrapped things up tight for their boss, decorating his truck with cans, streamers, balloons and finishing it off with some plastic wrap.
Bett, his wife Joellen and their four children will be missed. The new management for the local Cooper’s Food store has yet to be announced.
Princeton’s loss is a great gain for Revelstoke.