By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – A Humboldt Hy-Vee employee is gaining attention online and in-store this spring through a series of songs performed in the store’s greenhouse.
Ramona Kirchhoff says the idea started after her husband showed her a video online.
“My husband came home one day and he showed me a video and said ‘Look, that’s kind of a fun flower song’ and I’m like, I can do that. So I just ran with it.”
Kirchhoff has worked at Hy-Vee in Humboldt since 2014 and currently works in the store’s kitchen. She’s spent the past five years helping in the seasonal greenhouse and previously worked in produce.
Since starting the videos, she says customer response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Customers love them. They look forward to getting on in the morning and seeing what’s new out here in the greenhouse.”
For Kirchhoff, the project is as much about people as it is promotion.
“I’m a people person and I like to have people around and be happy and have them smile and stop and visit us.”
Hy-Vee Regional Store Director Roger Townsend says the idea took off quickly once Kirchhoff started sending in videos.
“When Ramona sent me a video one day of her singing to the flowers and singing the deals, I thought it was really fun and said this will be a great thing just to run with.”
Townsend says the response on social media has been stronger than expected and says the videos highlight a side of employees customers don’t always see.
“I’ve never had so many reactions to different posts we put on Facebook as when she’s singing. I think people just have so many hidden talents that you don’t even realize that they have.”
Kirchhoff estimates she has created about 15 songs so far this year. She says customers often stop in just to see what she’ll sing next.
The videos have also drawn outside attention, with WHO-TV in Des Moines recently visiting Humboldt to feature the greenhouse performances.