A couple who have spent 36 years working 15-hour shifts at a convenience store say they are looking forward to a well-earned rest as they prepare to retire.
Kosh and Uri Patel took over Londis in Dune Road, Greatstone, when they moved from London to Kent with their two young daughters in 1988.
When they first started, a loaf of bread cost just 45p, milk was sold in glass bottles and Drifter chocolate bars, Hedgehog crisps, and Just Seventeen magazine were must-haves for some.
But the arrival of supermarkets, the rise in online shopping and the pandemic meant they had to battle through constant changes to survive.
When Sainsbury’s opened in nearby Dymchurch Road in 2001, Mr Patel noticed a shift in shopping habits, and he closed his store’s butchery and delicatessen.
The 67-year-old explained: “As the supermarkets came, people wanted pre-packed food so as the younger generations came through, it wasn’t viable to keep the butchers or deli going.
“We ended up wasting a lot of meat so we just gave up with that in the end.
“We closed it as soon as Sainsbury’s opened because we couldn’t compete with them.
“Even the supermarkets don’t do delicatessens now because habits have changed.”
The arrival of Sainsbury’s meant the couple even had to adapt the way they sold milk.
“We only used to sell pints of milk in glass bottles,” remembers Mr Patel.
“But because supermarkets offered big four pints, everybody changed to want those.
“The demand became greater so we had to change accordingly.”
More recently, the Covid pandemic meant the couple stepped up to make sure the community had everything they needed when supermarket shelves were empty.
“We tried to get as much stock in as we could for our customers,” explained Mrs Patel, 65.
“We had to ration a bit so everyone got something but we survived.
“It was a challenging time but we pulled through.”
Prices have also changed with the times, especially since the pandemic.
Since 1988, bread has gone from 45p to £1.60, something Mr Patel says has been down to suppliers hiking their prices.
While they hired staff to help when their daughters were young, the Patels have taken on running the shop themselves and often pack in 15-hour days to keep things ticking over.
The only days they have ever taken off were for weddings, graduations and funerals.
After hearing Mr and Mrs Patel are about to retire, residents gathered outside the shop to show their appreciation with gifts and flowers.
Mrs Patel said: “It was so emotional when people came to say goodbye, I had tears in my eyes.
“We didn’t know it was going to happen, we went outside and there were all these people, it was so lovely and touching.
“It makes the 36 years worthwhile.”
Mr Patel said: “We never regretted the move we made.
“The people around here are great, we don’t want to leave the place so this is why we are still hanging on.
“But we are getting old and the work is getting harder so we have decided to sell.
“We have also seen changes in the people coming in.
“A lot of the elderly customers have been passing away.
“We never regretted the move we made…”
“We have a lot of youngsters coming in now, that’s the biggest change.
“We have gone from generation to generation, it has been good and everyone has been excellent.”
The couple now plan to enjoy a relaxing retirement and spend more time with family while remaining in Greatstone.
Mrs Patel said: “We are just going to enjoy ourselves and spend time with my granddaughter.
“We want to go on a good family holiday which we have never had.
“Everyone is more like my friends now than my customers, we have seen at least three generations through this shop.”
A new owner will take over the shop in the coming days.
It is understood the shop will temporarily close for a refit before reopening.