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    30 years at Mr. D’s – Not just a job, it’s a family

    For the last 30 years, Allen Kaiser has been a big part of the Mr. D’s family. Graduating from LVHS in 1987, Allen started working at Mr. D’s just 3 years later and is still there today. This took him through every imaginable position at the store to what he is today, a store manager.

    h/t Allen Kaiser, Mr. D’s

    Recently, County 10 sat down with Allen to chat about his Mr. D’s family and how he’s really grown up with the store.

    How many years have you been in Lander and how many working at Mr. D’s?  
    Approximately 40 years in Lander and employed by Mr. D’s for 30 years.

    What is your main job at Mr. D’s?
    Everything. I see something that needs to be done, and I “Get-R-Done”.

    You started at Mr. D’s right after high school…tell me about that.
    I graduated from LVHS in 1987 and started working at Mr.D’s on July 17th, 1990.

    h/t Allen Kaiser, Mr. D’s

    Have you moved up in positions over the years?
    At the old Mr. D’s, I was a carryout, checker, stocker, liquor, deli, some bakery, produce, frozen, dairy, front-end manager, night manager, helped demolish the old store, and helped build the new store. At the new Mr. D’s, I have been a front-end manager, dairy, frozen, meat department, produce, bakery, coffee, deli, liquor, stocking, front-end customer service, checker, courtesy clerk, and product ordering. Now I am one of the store managers. So I would say “a lifetime career”.

    Working at Mr. D’s is like being a part of a large family. Can you elaborate on that?
    Working all of these years for the Motherway family at Mr. D’s, you get to know each other just like a family does. Even if you are a new employee, they welcome you. They will help you along the way with as much as you are willing to learn or do to move up in your position. Sometimes they will coax you into stepping outside of your box to try some new job experiences helping you spread your wings and learn new things to help you grow. Not only do they help you with your job experiences, the Motherways help in many other ways.  They make sure your work environment is safe and clean. If you are having personal difficulties, or as an employee, they will help you out if they can. It doesn’t even need to be work-related. If you’re having a bad day, they notice. A passing in your family, sickness, injury, etc. They will understand and try to help in any way like a “family would”. I have seen many times personally and employee wise, the helping and caring from the Motherways. But I have also seen employees helping each other. When you work at Mr. D’s long enough, you will make friendships and feel like part of a family too.

    What is the favorite part of your job?
    The PEOPLE!!!!

    h/t Allen Kaiser, Mr. D’s

    Any work philosophies or advice for new employees?
    “Don’t sweat the SMALL STUFF, it’s ALL SMALL STUFF!”

    Tell me about YOU: family, hobbies, etc.
    Family: my wife Christina of 20 years, two older kids, Jasmine and Alex. 
    Hobbies and likes: drawing, drafting, bowling, golfing, camping, flying, and the ocean.

    h/t Christina Kaiser
    Allen & Christina’s kids, Alex and Jasmine Kaiser

    Your wife is the manager at One-Stop so you both work for local families and are very involved in the community. Tell me a little about this.
    My wife has worked for the One-Stop Market for 20 years. She is the manager. She also enjoys being around people and getting to know their customers. Then at the end of our workday, we leave work at work and enjoy our time together at home!

    “On a more personal note, I would like to thank the Motherways for all that they have done. Not only for our community but for me and my family personally. For over half of my life being employed at Mr. D’s, it is more than just a job. It is belonging and a locally owned family business that I more or less grew up with. Getting married, having kids, hard times, illnesses, and etc…you have been there for me through a lot. Much love to you!”
    – Allen Kaiser

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