Rota retiring from Sobeys after 30+ years

By Ron Giofu

A well-known local grocery store owner is retiring after over 34 years in the business.

Rennie Rota will be calling it a career from Sobeys May 6, almost 34 years to the day that he and his family took over the former Rocco’s Fine Foods. The Rota family took over Rocco’s in May 1989 and that building on Victoria St. S. is now used for other purposes when the grocery store expanded as a Sobeys in 2003.

The retirement comes at the end of the fiscal year, he said.

“We’ve been in the community for a lot of years,” Rota said. “When I came to Amherstburg and purchased Rocco’s in 1989, the first day I owned the store was May 4, 1989. This completes a cycle.”

Rota said age is one reason he has opted to retire, noting he turns 65 this year. Health is another reason he is leaving the grocery industry.

“I need to concentrate on my health a little more,” he said, noting his job is seven-days-per-week. “It takes a real toll on the body. Trying to reduce daily pressures is a factor.”

Spending more time with family is another reason for the retirement, noting three children and six grandchildren.

Rota said sales “skyrocketed” during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people coming in from LaSalle and Windsor. There were a lot of challenges during the pandemic, he stated, but people would come in looking for a safe place to shop.

“Now we’re coming down from that, it has given me time to think about which way to go,” he said.

Travel could also be part of his plans, but Rota said he will walk out of the store May 6 with no real plan.

“I’m going to take some time and think things out,” he said. “There’s lots of opportunity out there. There are opportunities to find something that will fill my days in a positive way.”

Rota said his family has enjoyed Amherstburg over the years, made many friends and gave back to the town. He noted his involvement with the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce and other groups and his desire to stay active.

“This community is second to none,” he said. “It’s been an absolute joy to live and support Amherstburg all of these years. I can’t think of another community I’d want to be in.”

Rota thanked the customers for supporting both Rocco’s and Sobeys over the years. He also expressed gratitude to the staff at Sobeys, whom he said have become friends with as well.

“We’ve had an incredible amount of loyalty,” he said. “It makes every day worth it.”

There are still five staff members who also worked at Rocco’s. In total, there are 115 full and part-time employees at Sobeys currently.

Expanding from Rocco’s Fine Foods to Sobeys has allowed more variety and services to the customers, he added, noting they have a great location. They have been a success, he said, and business has increased year-over-year.

“We haven’t had a bad year. One year has been better than the other,” he said. “Overall, the Amherstburg Sobeys has been a tremendous success.”

Rota said he will miss “everything about it” and that “it’s been such a huge part of my life.”

“It’s going to be a change,” he said. “I need to look forward and challenge myself.”

The new owners will be Rick and Kristy Truant, with Rick already managing in the Sobeys chain while Kristy is the current deli manager in Amherstburg.

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