PORTLAND, Oregon — A family-owned produce company in Portland celebrates its 110-year anniversary — amid a journey filled with challenges.
The president of Rinella Produce isn't taking for granted that he's here today. David Rinella says, "I've been gone for four months. I had to go down to the Mayo Clinic. I had a little cancer problem."
Not only is he battling cancer but he almost lost his life when he was beat up outside his business in October of last year.
Several people attacked him when he saw them breaking into his car, while he was getting attacked he had a heart attack.
"Then they discovered that I had a heart attack, when I was getting beat on the side of my building," said Rinella. "It's a big deal because it’s my first day back."
Despite going through all of that, he's celebrating the 110th anniversary of Rinella Produce. It's a business that provides all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Rinella spoke in regards to the produce offered at Rinella Produce. "To save them [customers] money meal by meal, to give them nice Roma tomatoes at a good price so they can make their salsa or the navel oranges that taste so good."
He says that the secret to the success of the business is they make customer service the top priority.
"They just feel good coming around here. That's what they tell me. They say you all just make the atmosphere so nice here," said General Manager Fred Pittman. "So, they're just happy to come back. And so, we always find good deals so the prices are just great."
For Rinella, he's thankful to enjoy another day of a business he loves so much.
"I'm trying to get my feet on the ground again," said Rinella. "Whatever is left of me with all that radiation that I had to take — I dropped to 158 pounds, probably down 50, 60 pounds but I'm still here."
Rinella also says he loves Portland and would never leave despite what happened to him. He plans to continue serving his customers and providing the best produce in the area for many years to come.