Harold and Theresa Huff love “their” Dillons, a division of Kroger. They would drive 30 minutes out of their way just to have a Starbucks coffee and chat with their favorite Dillons associates at Store #72 in Wichita, Kansas.

To Harold and Theresa, this Dillons was like part of their family, as they are to the associates.

That’s when it was devastating when Theresa lost her battle with cancer earlier this year. Dee Roach, Starbucks lead, and Kathy Reese, barista, both cried when they heard of her passing. Dee and Kathy attended Theresa’s funeral. This personal connection all started by the associates learning their names.

Now, a small plaque sits on the railing by Harold and Theresa’s table: “In Loving Memory of Theresa Huff.”

Harold still visits a few times a week to get his cup of coffee and lemon pound cake, a tradition that all started with a friendly associate.

Thank you, Dee, Kathy and the rest of the team at Store #72, for making that personal connection that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.