Farewell Vic
by Lynne Creighton

Vic’s Oak Hill Market, at the corner of Oak and Buchanan, is way more than your corner grocery – it’s a post office where packages are delivered for neighbors who work during the day; it’s a bank where customers can get a short-term loan or purchase on credit; it’s a neighborhood bulletin board (HVNA meeting May 22nd) – but most of all it’s Vic Sabbah who has run the market for 38 years and who retires this month.

Victor Sabbeh
Courtesy of Victor Sabbeh

Before buying the store from his Uncle Ted in 1970, Vic worked there after school beginning in 1956 and returned following service in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. During that time he has seen an enormous change in the neighborhood. “People are much nicer and there’s much less aggravation,” says Vic, “now I get invited to parties, when years ago that never happened.”
During the long Central Freeway battle, Vic was a supporter of tearing it down and his counter always seemed littered with leaflets and illustrations describing the new Octavia Blvd. As a commuter driving in from the Peninsula every day it would have been easy for him to support the freeway.

The market’s new owner has invited Vic back to be a part of the operation as often as he wants. Vic’s advice to the new owner: Talk to people. “I’m going to really miss this neighborhood,” says Vic, “especially all my customers whom I want to thank for making my retirement possible.”

Thank you, Vic.