Those who shop at Dutch-Way Market in Gap are sure to see the familiar face of Matthew Peifer of Christiana, who was recently honored for working at the store for 20 years.

Peifer, whose main job duty is to collect shopping carts and assist customers, started at Dutch-Way at age 20. "I had the choice of working in dairy or carts, and I chose carts," he said, noting that his job choice allowed him to interact more with customers. "I (collect) carts and help people put stuff in their carts and talk with them."

"I like working here and helping customers and making them happy," he added. "Everybody knows me. Some people blow their horn and wave and say hello."

To celebrate the milestone, Peifer earned a monetary bonus and was presented with an insulated mug, engraved with a message thanking him for his 20 years of "outstanding and dedicated" service to Dutch-Way.

Peifer gets along with his co-workers as well, often spending time in the store even when he is not on the clock. He is also well known to Dutch-Way shoppers.

"He is on a name-by-name basis with a lot of folks. They know him and he knows them. He is a store staple," stated Jordan Snader, store manager and one of the store's partners. "Customers love and appreciate him, and his co-workers do at the store as well."

Janice Dagney, director of religious education at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Parkesburg, has come to know Peifer through the years while shopping at Dutch-Way. "As a longtime Dutch-Way customer, I've seen firsthand how much this young man cares about his work and the people he serves," she shared. "For so many years, he has been a constant, friendly presence who treats his job with passion and professionalism. His work ethic does not go unnoticed. He truly represents the heart of Dutch-Way."

Peifer says he plans to continue working at the store for many years to come. "It went by pretty quickly," he stated. "I will keep going as long as I can - maybe the next 20 or 30 years."