45 years of double-doubles and doughnuts made a fulfilling career for Jed Rendell
CBC
After 45 years of serving coffee and smiles at Tim Hortons, David (Jed) Rendell of St. John's is calling it a career.
Rendell, who goes by many names at the Tim Hortons on Thorburn Road — including Jed and Papa J — told CBC News he started working for Tim Hortons as a baker on Kenmount Road, the location of the chain's first franchise in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He got in on the reference of a high school friend, and on Thursday — 45 years later — worked his last shift.
"It really don't seem like 45 years," he said with a smile.
"I've worked with some really wonderful people. Like the ones in this store here, they're perfect. I'll miss them, [but] I'll be back from time to time."
Rendell's said his time at Tim Hortons came with a lot of change over the years. He remembered spending hours making doughnuts from scratch — he was particularly fond of apple fritters, because of how good they smelled.
But there came a time when locations couldn't keep up with the demand from customers, and the chain changed practices. Stores moved to more factory-prepared items and introduced things like muffins, sandwiches and even pizza by his final year.
But through all the trials and tribulations 45 years can bring, he said, he always enjoyed having an impact on people's mornings.
"It's a place, though, where people come to hang out. People come up, you know, come to meet each other. And it's a big piece … of the community too," he said.
The staff at the Thorburn Road location where he finished his career celebrated Thursday with cake and congratulations. Rendell plans to kickoff his retirement with a trip to Alberta to visit family.
Asked if he had advice for anyone who wants to work as long as he has, he pulled out his own favourite quote.
"If you are humble and, basically, a hard worker, you'll walk with the kings."
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