Alumni Spotlight – Greg Saubel ‘78

In a rapidly changing world, traditions are often difficult to maintain. This is particularly true in rapidly changing businesses like food retailing, where agri-corps and national chains rule the marketplace. Add to that the rapidly changing demographics of Southern York County, and it is amazing that the tradition of Saubel’s Markets is alive and well after three generations (going on four) under current leadership that includes Greg Saubel, Class of 1978.

Greg was a good student at Susquehannock, consistently achieving honor roll designation and graduating in 1978 as a member of the National Honor Society. But outside of the classroom, he devoted most of his time in the family business, a business that has helped define our school district and surrounding area since the early 1900’s.

Gregg’s earliest memories as a toddler are of playing with toy cars in store aisles, where he would spend much of the day while both his parents worked the store. He was a stock boy and bag packer by age 10. “My father really didn’t know a lot about child labor laws,” Gregg jokes. In his senior year, he enrolled in Susquehannock’s diversified occupation program and worked at the market half-days and, of course, evenings and weekends.

But Greg wasn’t all about work in high school. He developed a passion for off-road motorcycle racing and was a regular competitor on the “Enduro” competition circuit. Enduro is a timed racing event with similarities to orienteering or road rally, except the participants are on motorcycles racing through woodlands. Greg competed off-road for two years and then switched to American Motorcycle Association sanctioned Motocross, a timed lap event familiar to most. In 1979, Gregg was the District VI open amateur class champion. (After he retired from this “young person’s sport,” Greg ran the District VI program for several years.)

Upon graduation from Susquehannock, Greg began working in the store full-time as assistant manager, joining his older brother Steve (Class of 1968). In the late 80’s, Greg’s father began to phase out of the business, turning it over to the third generation, Greg and Steve.

Under their leadership, the store began three decades of steady growth, with major expansions in their Shrewsbury location in 1980, 1986, and 1991. In 1997, a Wal-Mart Super Store came to town, and in 2001, Greg learned of plans for a new Giant, both within sight of his existing location. Greg recalls much soul searching during this period, but in the end, he and Steve resolved to take on “Goliath” and expanded their business by adding two additional locations, one in Stewartstown and one in Northern Maryland. “You hear about successful one-store businesses that take growth risks and end up as no-store businesses, but so far it’s worked out.” Greg says. “In 2009 we opened a 45,000 square foot replacement store in our Whiteford, MD location.”

So, what is the key to a multi-generational family business in a cut-throat industry? Greg credits maintaining customer loyalty by appealing to the tradition of the familiar. For example he explains, “We knew that one of our unique attractions was ‘scratch baking,’ making all of our baked goods from ingredients on site. No one else does it. It keeps our old customers coming back and attracts new ones.” Saubel’s is also unique in offering homemade salads and soups in its deli section.

Greg acknowledges that his life in a family business instilled important character traits: a love of and appreciation for family, caring about employees, an interest and investment in the community, and strong work ethic as a way of life. He believes that these traits have driven his personal and business successes.

He continues to be active in the Susquehannock High School Alumni Council and is a founding director of the Southern York County School District Foundation. Saubel’s Market sponsors a four-year scholarship, annually awarded, to a deserving Susquehannock Senior.

Thank you Greg Saubel, Class of 1978, for making us Warrior Proud.