Gina Hilker, owner of Arlington Grocery Outlet, has grown to care for Arlington in the two years she and her husband have been here. She shared that when they first moved here, she noticed “how friendly everyone is here, the moments we walked into town people asked if there was anything they could do to help.” Gina shared that she hadn’t seen such a warm and friendly environment in other towns, helping her feel welcome and find a place for her and her family in the community.
While talking with Gina, we could feel her love and excitement for being in Arlington. When asked where her favorite places to visit in town was, she had a hard time choosing. After some consideration, she shared “my favorite place to go is the Alley. I also like the Galbey burner and the Blue Bird, but my favorite place is the Alley.” When asked about her favorite traditions she had been a part of in town, she shares “I don’t have a favorite tradition, we celebrate everything. I love that we celebrate everything.” From holiday traditions to seasons changing and farmers markets selling locally made products, it can be hard to choose find one specific event to stand out against the others.
When asked what changes she had seen in Arlington in the two years she has been with us, she shares, “Arlington hasn’t really changed, I’ve changed. I’ve gotten to be more in the community, got to know a lot of people in town, I think Arlington is still the same as when we moved here. Arlington has brought out the giver in me.”
Gina came to Arlington to run the local Grocery Outlet with her husband. She first got involved with working with Grocery Outlet about ten years ago, when she saw an opportunity to make steady money and give her kids stability. When considering how to explain what Grocery Outlet is, Gina defines it as “a mini Costco without a membership.” Now owning the local Grocery Outlet in Arlington, Gina makes note of what a difference it can make working for a small business owner compared to the bigger chains. She shares, “when you work for a small business owner it’s more like a family. It just feels different. When they walk in it feels like a community.”
Gina has felt the small town Arlington charm and has enjoyed being a part of our community. We have felt her and her husband’s influence as well as they provide us with a local, affordable grocery store and as they get involved with our many town traditions.
