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If you've spent more than a couple minutes in Sanders County Harvest Foods, you've heard the distinctive giggle of Shelly Mayfield. The Thompson Falls woman, who has worked at the store for more than 30 years, was recently promoted to Store Manager.

"The atmosphere and the people have kept me here," Mayfield said Monday at the store she now manages. "We have a great crew, and it's a great company to work for." Mayfield took over as store manager this month after the retirement of Jim Fargher.

Mayfield has worked in just about every department of Sanders County Harvest Foods. She started in 1990 in the bakery, and moved to the deli. After a brief stint in the produce department, she was promoted to the general merchandise manager, a position she has held for more than 15 years. The biggest change she has seen in her 32 years at the store, besides in staffing changes, is the expansion project in the early 1990s which increased the size of the building to its current nearly 25,000 square feet.

The store averages about 50 employees. "We have a good time," Mayfield said. "People can separate personal from work. We can laugh and joke and get the job done. I want to keep supporting that atmosphere." She says that customer service is number one and she will continue to have excellent customer service be a primary goal at the store. "I love our customers," Mayfield added.

While there are no major changes planned for the new store manager, she did note that they are putting in two more compressors in the meat and produce department to help keep the coolers working in those departments. She said people have seen the issues the store has had in recent years, and hopefully the additional compressors will eliminate that problem. She said the store, like everyone else, has had stocking and pricing issues in recent years, but that they continue to try to serve the customers as best they can. "It's the same everywhere, but it's getting better," Mayfield noted.

Another change for the store, Mayfield said, is they are working to bring back the seating area at the front of the store for customers to sit and have coffee or lunch. Mayfield also reminded customers that they can order goods by the case to receive a discount on items.

Valerie Fargher, the head bookkeeper, also retired this month, and longtime employee Carol Lake is taking over that position. Mayfield said Amy Velez has taken over the general merchandise position and that they will be looking to fill the assistant store manager position after the first of the year. Mendy Day is floor manager and Steven Foyil the grocery manager.

Jaki Peele is the price code coordinator at the store. "I think that's the hardest job in the store, and Jaki does an awesome job," Mayfield said. Other department managers include Rachel Hedahl in the bakery, Sarah Byrnes in the deli, meat manager Todd Herreid and produce manager Josh Ward. "They all do what they can and I couldn't do my job without them," Mayfield expressed.

Mayfield reiterated how great her crew is and said they are always looking for good workers. She is excited about her new position, but says she will continue to be on the sales floor. So you'll still hear her laugh as you walk the aisles.