My dad was born in Winter Haven in 1910. His father (pharmacist/ Doctor) had a drug store (close to Central) just down the street from where Jenkins worked in a butcher shop bagging groceries (near Pope Ave). Pop not only knew Jenkins, he sometimes would go down the dirt road and help him bag his groceries. That was on 5th St., Jenkins opened his first Publix across the park on 4th St, then later down Central, then to North Gate.The roads were all dirt in those days.
George Jenkins was a heck of a business man. He had a brilliant management structure. He paid his managers well above industry standard and expected us to be dedicated to our stores. 60+ hour work weeks when you were working your way up was common. The best thing about working for Publix especially in the old days was Mr George believed in sharing the success of the company with the associates.
