Courtesy photo Glik’s leadership and store employees are seen sounding under a balloon arch at the Alpena Glik’s location during the store's 25th anniversary celebration on Tuesday.

ALPENA — On Tuesday, the Glik’s store in Alpena celebrated 25 years in Alpena, along with Glik’s Store Manager Joey Plowman’s 25 years of leadership.

According to a Glik’s press release, Plowman’s journey with Glik’s began in the spring of 2001 when she called Jeff Glik, CEO and fourth-generation president. After learning that Glik’s had acquired the lease for former Stage stores in Manistee, Plowman encouraged the company to consider Alpena as the company’s next investment.

Plowman told The News that she had previously managed a Stage location in Alpena and when that store closed, she reached out to Glik.

“We went back and forth for about three months,” she said. “Then he called me and asked if I was ready to go back to work.”

Plowman said that when she got that call from Glik, she had just given birth to her son who is now 25 years old.

Plowman said that Glik’s first opened in the Alpena Mall in 2001. On May 7, 2021, Glik’s moved to its current location in downtown Alpena.

She added that the 25-year anniversary is more about her team and the lasting legacy of Glik’s than it is about her career.

“It’s not all about me,” she said. “25 years in Alpena is great … it’s about all the employees. It takes the whole team for Glik’s to be successful.”

Plowman said she is thankful for the store associates she’s worked with over the years and the Glik family. She has worked with three generations of Glik family members.

She explained that Glik’s stores vary as Glik’s leadership allows store managers to have ownership.

“We ask all the time for new stuff,” Plowman said. “They want to know what you need. Every Glik’s store is a little different … they give you ownership of the store.”

Glik celebrated Plowman’s accomplishments along with the lasting impact Glik’s has had on the Alpena area.

“Joey’s passion for this community and her belief in what Alpena can be is truly remarkable,” Glik said in the release. “This celebration is not only about her 25 years with Glik’s, but also about the lasting impact she’s made on this town.”

Plowman said that her favorite part of her job is interacting with customers and serving Alpena.

“It doesn’t feel like 25 years when you love what you do,” she said in the release. “My favorite part of what I do is, hands down, my customers–so many of whom have become friends that feel like family. I’ve been very lucky to have 25 years of amazing associates and mentors. Glik’s is such a big part of downtown Alpena, and we are very lucky to have it in our community.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.