(March 9, 2017) Close to 100 well-wishers packed the small front room of the Berlin Visitor’s Center on Thursday to honor retiring Berlin Shoe Box owner Jesse Turner.
Among them were old friends, many dressed up for the occasion, along with fellow Main Street business owners and a handful of local politicians who brought proclamations for a man who obviously meant a lot to the town during his 68 years in business.
Turner was also dressed up, sporting a dark green sports coat that could have doubled for business casual on St. Patrick’s Day. He stood in the center of the room between Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and County Commissioner Bud Church.
Carol Rose, chairwoman of several Berlin committees, flanked Church and represented Del. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Charles Otto.
A cake with white icing and the Berlin Shoe Box logo sat on a small table in the back of the room. It was inscribed, “Happy retirement Mr. Jesse Turner. We will miss you!”
“This is a very special occasion – the first of its kind in the 150-year town history. But not many people come along in 150 years like Jesse,” Williams said. “We’ve kept him out of trouble for as long as we can, but he’s also done some wonderful things for so many people.”
Williams said Turner spent his entire adult life helping people by providing and repairing quality footwear. Many of those people, Williams said, had nowhere else to turn.
“From my perspective, as the mayor, this town has come on a long, long journey since it’s founding,” Williams said. “And just remember that every journey begins with a first step, and this gentleman next to me, Jesse Turner, has helped people to make those steps day after day, year after year, decade after decade.”
Church presented a letter of recognition to Turner on behalf of the county commissioners. He said he and Turner went back a long way and joked traffic on Main Street would likely drop about 25 percent without the Shoe Box.
“Between my wife and I, my kids and my grandkids, we’ve spent enough money in Jesse’s store that he should’ve retired 10 years ago,” Church said, drawing a big laugh.
“We have spent a lot of time together, all enjoyable, he continued. “He’s been my hero, he’s been my pal, and I’m glad you’re finally taking a little time off to smell the roses.”
Church said Turner ran an iconic business and was a community leader. He organized the annual Memorial Day parade in the town, was the past president of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and remains an active member in the New Bethel United Methodist Church.
“This is from all the county commissioners and all of the citizens of Worcester County. You’re a hero. You’re an icon,” Church said.
Rose said it was a big deal for her to be there to honor Turner because she has known him since childhood. She presented him a proclamation on behalf of Carozza and the state senate.
Turner spoke last and, as is often his custom, with great brevity.
“I want to thank everybody for supporting me in my time being here,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Among them were old friends, many dressed up for the occasion, along with fellow Main Street business owners and a handful of local politicians who brought proclamations for a man who obviously meant a lot to the town during his 68 years in business.
Turner was also dressed up, sporting a dark green sports coat that could have doubled for business casual on St. Patrick’s Day. He stood in the center of the room between Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and County Commissioner Bud Church.
Carol Rose, chairwoman of several Berlin committees, flanked Church and represented Del. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Charles Otto.
A cake with white icing and the Berlin Shoe Box logo sat on a small table in the back of the room. It was inscribed, “Happy retirement Mr. Jesse Turner. We will miss you!”
“This is a very special occasion – the first of its kind in the 150-year town history. But not many people come along in 150 years like Jesse,” Williams said. “We’ve kept him out of trouble for as long as we can, but he’s also done some wonderful things for so many people.”
Williams said Turner spent his entire adult life helping people by providing and repairing quality footwear. Many of those people, Williams said, had nowhere else to turn.
“From my perspective, as the mayor, this town has come on a long, long journey since it’s founding,” Williams said. “And just remember that every journey begins with a first step, and this gentleman next to me, Jesse Turner, has helped people to make those steps day after day, year after year, decade after decade.”
Church presented a letter of recognition to Turner on behalf of the county commissioners. He said he and Turner went back a long way and joked traffic on Main Street would likely drop about 25 percent without the Shoe Box.
“Between my wife and I, my kids and my grandkids, we’ve spent enough money in Jesse’s store that he should’ve retired 10 years ago,” Church said, drawing a big laugh.
“We have spent a lot of time together, all enjoyable, he continued. “He’s been my hero, he’s been my pal, and I’m glad you’re finally taking a little time off to smell the roses.”
Church said Turner ran an iconic business and was a community leader. He organized the annual Memorial Day parade in the town, was the past president of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and remains an active member in the New Bethel United Methodist Church.
“This is from all the county commissioners and all of the citizens of Worcester County. You’re a hero. You’re an icon,” Church said.
Rose said it was a big deal for her to be there to honor Turner because she has known him since childhood. She presented him a proclamation on behalf of Carozza and the state senate.
Turner spoke last and, as is often his custom, with great brevity.
“I want to thank everybody for supporting me in my time being here,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure.”