IF YOU have been to the Manchester Food Lion, you have probably met Helen Reardon. She has served and encouraged many in the community of Manchester since she began working there in 2006 and continues to do so every day. According to community member Jamie Treadwell, she is the embodiment of what people envision of “life in a small town.”
“Ms. Helen is one of the best reasons for visiting Food Lion,” Treadwell said. “I have seen her working away when there was a foot of snow on the ground, still smiling and being just as kind as ever.”
In March, Reardon was awarded the honor of “My Hero” at News Channel 5 — a program highlighting the excellent work, kindness, and courage that transforms people’s lives. Manager Tonya Rogers said Reardon’s popularity comes from that genuine kindness and interest.
“She gets to know her customers on a personal level,” Rogers said. “They’ll literally wait in line just to go through her line so they can have a conversation with her because she’s so genuine.”
Reardon treats her co-workers just as nicely, Rogers said, so she never has problems with anyone she works with. The feeling is mutual — Reardon likes working with her co-workers just as much as they enjoy working with her, and she said she would like to thank all those she has worked with or for.
“They’ve lifted me up when I’ve been kind of down,” Reardon said. “I’ve had encouragement from them. Different ones made me feel better at different times when I probably wasn’t feeling all that great.”
Seventeen years is a long time, but Reardon said she doesn’t plan on leaving until something makes her. Working at the register is beneficial to her health, both mentally and physically.
“I’m moving around, I’m getting exercise,” Reardon said, “If I were staying home and being retired, I wouldn’t be getting any of that.”
Reardon said she likes being around people and serving them, hopefully making their day a little better. One thing she is well known for is singing to people on their birthdays.
“I like to be their friend. I like to be helpful in doing whatever it is that I’m doing,” Reardon said. “If they need some kind of encouragement and a prayer… that’s something that I continue to do.”
Before moving to Manchester, Reardon worked in manufacturing, spending 19 years in one location and 10 at another. The last place she wanted to work, Reardon said, was a grocery store — but it wasn’t easy to find a job after coming to Tennessee.
“This was when the country was pretty low, and I had gone everywhere to try to find a job, and I couldn’t get one,” Reardon said. “I went in, I gave Glenda my application, she hired me on the spot, and I’ve been there ever since. So I feel that that’s where I’m supposed to be. That’s where the good Lord probably wanted me to be.” GN