Gerald Hocker Sr. started building what would become an entrepreneurial empire quite modestly as a young man. The foundation was laid when he purchased Jake’s Grocery from his uncle, Jake, in 1971. Hocker had just graduated from the University of Delaware earlier that year. He couldn’t foresee that buying that grocery store with five employees would lead to all he has created more than 50 years later.

The grocery store’s success led to the purchase of a second, but Hocker didn’t stop expanding there. He started new businesses that included hardware stores, a 60-lot mobile park, boat/RV storage and commercial storage, a car wash, a convenience store and rental properties. Today, Hocker has more than 200 employees, whose hard work has been crucial to his brands’ overall success and growth. He’s won numerous awards, including Best Grocery Store in the Tri-State Area, Best Fried Chicken, Best Chicken Wings, Best Family Business and Best Businessman.   

But Hocker’s contributions to the Delaware Coastal region include even more than his successful businesses. For 38 years, he’s assisted in organizing the Springtime Jamboree, which donates 100% of the money to non-profits like the Bethany Beach & Millville Volunteer Fire Companies, Lower Sussex Little League, River Soccer Club, several Lions Clubs and more. Throughout his involvement, the event’s proceeds have raised an estimated $350,000-$400,000.

His success is made all the more special because this is the area where he grew up and has lived his whole life. “My wife, Emily, and I have always strived to grow each year, and our success is due to the team we have put around us,” Hocker says. “We refer to our employees as our business family. Many started working for us and remained until their retirement.”

Emily won Coastal Style’s Best Business-woman in Sussex County in 2023.

With Hocker’s continued success, who knows what business he’ll add next—and
what new employees will join his ever-growing family business?