Hocker family stores thrive as times change

Gerald Hocker came from a southern Delaware family that thrived in a retail environment.

His dad, Wilbert Hocker, and his brother-in-law, Dick Wood, opened a Millville hardware store in 1947. Seven years later, Wilbert's brother, Jake Hocker, opened a modest meat market and grocery store in nearby Ocean View.

While both businesses did well through the 1950s and '60s, it is unlikely that the Hockers or Woodses had any clue about how much the Ocean View-Millville area would grow and prosper over the next several decades.

But change it did, as new homes, schools, churches, roads and stores were built to accommodate an influx of new families. Indeed, that growth helped fuel a transition from a sleepy rural outpost to a bustling community that has benefited by its proximity to the beach.

After giving up their businesses for a variety of reasons, the elder Hockers also would have been surprised to learn that the family grocery and hardware enterprises have continued to thrive and expand.

And that success comes in the face of intense competition from an array of major food and hardware chains that were drawn to the fast-growing region.

"If I hadn't changed with the times, someone else would have been here in place of me," Hocker said.

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Generational transfer

The generational transfer of the family businesses began in 1974 when Gerald, after graduating from the University of Delaware, bought the Cedar Neck Road grocery store from his ailing uncle Jake.

Renaming it the G&E supermarket — after Gerald and wife, Emily — the expansion began soon after. An inside hardware department was added and, over time, the supermarket saw a total of five additions.

But, even after moving the hardware store into a separate building, the expanded G&E Supermarket was struggling to keep up with the growth in the community.

His first major local expansion came in 1980 when Hocker bought Bennett's Lewes Dairy Market, a small convenience store on Atlantic Avenue in Clarksville.

Taking advantage of area growth and a steady stream of beach traffic on Route 26, Hocker built a new building to include a hardware store, a branch bank and expanded meat and produce departments. A Walgreen's pharmacy is also part of the complex.

The store, called Hocker's Super Center, also has a fresh seafood department and another family signature — a meat counter that is staffed by butchers.

It opened for business in 1999.

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The success of the two operations encouraged Hocker, even as competition stiffened throughout the region. Indeed, his success proved that the Hocker family could compete in Ocean View and Millville.

"I have had Giant come in, I have had Food Lion come in and I have had Harris Teeter come in and we are still in business," Gerald Hocker said.

Indeed, Hocker believes that being lifelong residents has helped fuel their success.

"I was raised here, I know the community and the community knows me," Hocker said.

Big move after competitor folds

But the most recent expansion may be the boldest yet.

When one of his main competitors — Harris Teeter — decided to close a supermarket in nearby Bethany Beach, Hocker and his family decided to buy the building.

Several weeks ago, the family closed its original G&E market and opened a new one in a dazzling new space that is, by far, their largest store.

"Five years ago, the store that was going to put us out of business is now ours," Hocker said with pride.

Throughout, the Hocker family has been involved.

Over the years, Emily Hocker helped as a cashier, bookkeeper and payroll clerk. She also worked in the deli.

Since they bought the original business in 1974, "I think I have done it all," Emily Hocker said.

And, as their children grew, they also got involved.

Sons Greg and Gerald Jr.  — "Gerry" — and daughter Melissa Willey all work in the two stores. Their oldest daughter, Shelley Pszczola, is the head pharmacist at the Walgreens store in the Clarksville Hocker complex.

Two high-school aged grandsons also work part time.

Aside from family, two store managers and a significant percentage of the workforce have been with the Hockers for years. Gerald Hocker thinks it is a major reason for their success.

"They are like family to us," Hocker said. "That and I am convinced that (customers) like to see the same people in the store when they come in to shop."

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Clearly, the Hocker family has found success in a field that has seen high attrition among local, family-owned grocery stores.

Indeed, just a handful of locally owned grocery stores remain, including Lloyd's in Lewes and Lingo's in Rehoboth Beach.

"The chains ran most of them out of business," said Hocker, who also is a state senator.

But not the Hocker clan.

"This community has been good to us and I believe that we, in turn, have been good for the community," Hocker said.

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If you go

What: G&E Supermarket 

Where: 695 Bethany Loop, Bethany Beach

Phone: 302-539-5255

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday: 7 a.m.  to 11 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.