Something I learned of today has me a little nostalgic. Unfortunately, this walk down memory lane was sparked by some very unfortunate news. It was just announced that Bashas’ Supermarkets Inc., our state’s family-owned grocery chain has filed Chapter 11 and is closing 10 of its 158 stores across the state. This news is very sad for so many reasons. The biggest one in my book is the unknown road that lies ahead for the hundreds of employees that must find a new job. Facing a very similar situation, more than 30 years ago, Richard Harmon was a casualty of budget cuts while working as a service electrician for A.J. Bayless. Another locally owned grocery chain, A.J. Bayless ultimately ceased operations, selling the last of its stores to Bashas in the late 80s. Can you see why the Bashas news struck a chord?

Fortunately for the electrical contracting and solar industry, after the layoff, Richard decided to remain self employed and worked as an independent service electrician. As the demand for his services grew, he eventually expanded into electrical installs for construction projects. Shortly after, Harmon Electric was born. I’m sure when Richard left A.J. Bayless he never expected that he would be responsible for a thriving electrical contracting and now a solar installation company. While tough times are scary, they also test our limits, and we often come out further ahead then we could have imagined. My deepest thoughts are with the Bashas family and their employees. Although a tough road ahead, I’m confident that several years from now, we’ll be reading the company’s success story and of another “Richard Harmon” who took the road less traveled.

Holly
Public Relations