Houston’s has grown a lot during the past 50 years. We’ve expanded into different buildings and locations, and we’ve adapted as the industry has changed. In the words of Board Member Greg Dann, we listen and look to improve – that is what makes Houston’s strong. We recognize Greg in celebrating a milestone of 50 years with the company.
Greg gives us a window into his experiences over the past 50 years:
I was hired on January 7, 1973, and when I started with Houston’s I worked as a delivery truck driver and warehouse worker. My beginning wage was $2.30 per hour ($15.00 in 2023 dollars) and we were paid once each month.
At that time in Houston’s history, I was one of six employees: John Houston, his mother Esther, John’s brother in-law Jim, order desk Don, and warehouse worker Larry. And, no, this wasn’t my first job; I previously worked at an auto parts and gasoline store for three years.
In 1973, Houston’s was located at 823 SW Front Ave in Portland, which was an 8,000 sq. ft. building. It moved later that year to 2200 N Interstate Ave which was 40,000 sq. ft.
Then, in 1983, we moved to 3939 SE 26th Ave and that building was, to us, state-of-the-art with high ceilings and actual loading docks. The next move was in 1999 to our existing building in Wilsonville where we saw it developed from bare ground to a beautiful fully stocked warehouse with a future in automation.
After driving the delivery truck and working in the warehouse, I moved to inside sales along with daily invoicing of the orders. I wore a lot of hats back then, and since I was basically the only person who could use a typewriter, I was chosen to type all the pages in our catalog along with creating monthly flyers.
Later, I began assisting with purchasing which before that time only John and Jim were doing the ordering. Looking back, I truly enjoyed purchasing products; however, since I got to know our customers so well over the phone and at trade shows, I knew I had a calling in outside sales. I was promoted to Sales Manager, and we began hiring outside salespeople in other states.
As the company grew into new regions, John Houston gave me the option to further my career in sales or to focus my efforts on Cash & Carry (known as CHEF’STOREs today). While managing a sales team was exhilarating, the best memories I have are my time calling on the Cash & Carry accounts.
There were 13 United Grocers Cash & Carry stores back then, and they were purchasing limited bar supplies and glassware from Houston’s. In 1984, I worked with United Grocers putting a line of porcelain white china to all the stores, and it was a hit.
At that time, their smallwares and kitchen supply section was barren – with the products still in boxes sitting on pallets in front of the shelves. Through my relationship with the store managers, and performing well in other areas, they decided they wanted to order these items from Houston’s.
Breaking ground at the Wilsonville site in 1998. L to R: Greg Dann, John Houston, and Steve Hoch
I talked it up with John, and we brought in hundreds of smallwares items such utensils, knives, and pots & pans. I was excited to see these items sell!
We delivered the products to the stores; but the same thing would happen that I had seen before – the product would just sit there in boxes. I can remember putting the load on the shelves myself at one of the Portland locations, and by the time I was done stocking that day they had sold everything I put out!
The light went on, and we quickly hired an area salesperson/merchandiser to assist. Our sales skyrocketed because of our ability to help the customer where they needed it most, hence the creation of our Merchandising Department.
The most enjoyable job for me to do was performing a complete reset of an existing Cash & Carry store, then make it look like new. Also, high on the list was going into the new locations with just bare pegboard and shelving where you and your team get to decide the flow and placement of our products. Now those were fun times!
Many of this longtime team are still with us here at Houston’s. People such as Bob Baldwin and Robin Phillips really put in the hours in the beginning to help Houston’s succeed, and it’s great to see that we have new employees who continue forward with such quality of work.
It takes a lot of effort by everyone to make this program work, and I’m proud of the leadership team today.
We can do many things other companies cannot do because we adapt to what the needs are of our customers. We listen and look to improve. That is what makes our company great.
I really like the direction where the company is currently going! Thanks to all of you that are pulling on the same end of the rope.
Read about our other valued team members on the Houston’s Blog.
