Model Grocery Associates Who Are Building Better Workplaces

The industry’s breakneck pace of change is being further exacerbated by historically low unemployment and labor shortages in many pockets of the country, which served as the impetus for WGB’sSeptember 2018 “Building Better Retail Workplaces” issue, which explores the disparate facets of what is largely considered to be the most critical consideration before retailers today.

While the grocery sector is particularly vulnerable to the labor shortage in tandem with its reliance on hourly workers—many of whom are now being lured away by competitors—history finds grocers best positioned to succeed have long prioritized the “employee experience,” not only to retain their workforce,  but more importantly, their edge in the marketplace.

To that end, we are pleased to showcase an array of talented teammates from Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets’ Downers Grover, Ill., store, and Bend, Ore.’s Newport Ave. Market, who exemplify the premise that engaged, empowered employees create successful, high-performance workplaces. We invited each of the associates profiled herein to share their candid thoughts on the following three questions:

• What’s the best part of your job?
• What inspires you most about your workplace?
• What in your opinion makes your store stand out?

Leader of the Pack
CEO and President Newport Ave. Market

The bonds of trust run deep at Bend, Ore.-based Rudy’s Markets Inc., which operates Newport Ave. Market (NAM) and Melvin’s by Newport Avenue Market. Lauren G. R. Johnson, whose Leader of the Pack title underscores Rudy’s Markets’ founding philosophy, is unabashedly enamored by “the people that have chosen to make NAM their career, and those that choose to shop with us. I L-O-V-E what I do and find it fun,” Johnson relays.

Is it easy? “Most days more than others,” she says, “but to nerd out on grocery is a passion and to work with like-minded people is a treat. Our employees have cultivated long term relationships with our customers and genuinely care, and that leads to pretty terrific customer service.”

Produce Clerk
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market­

What’s the best part of your job?

Meeting customers and working with fellow employees.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

The pride of all the employees.

What in your opinion makes Fresh Thyme stand out?

Freshness, quality products and employees.

Top Banana/Produce Manager
Newport Ave. Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Selling fruit and veggies that are of top quality, while being on the cutting edge of new items and ideas. Having a great workplace, great customers and fellow employees to work with.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

Having a great team to work with, great customers, great equipment and a clean, safe environment.

What in your opinion makes Newport Ave. Market stand out?

To be able to sell top quality product, give great customer service, work with a great team to support the customers we have and the many we will gain!

Bulk Supervisor
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Helping customers—from answering questions about our products to how to use and cook them. I love working in bulk foods because it is the perfect environment to remind myself and others about the importance of zero waste.

 What inspires you most about your workplace?

I am continually inspired by the crew and management around me to provide the customers with healthy options in a store that is very well run and fun!

 What in your opinion makes Fresh Thyme stand out?

The healthful products and beautiful displays that ensure an extremely pleasant shopping experience. The knowledge that all staff imparts about our products is without comparison.

Employee Owner/Deli
Newport Ave. Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Using fresh ingredients to create food that looks as good as it tastes.

What inspires you most about your workplace?
I’m most inspired by knowing I’m a valued employee, as well as by my work “family.”

What Makes Newport Avenue Market stand out?

Our shoppers are not just customers they are company coming to visit. We offer courtesy clerks, lemon water and hospitality.

Assistant Manager
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Helping customers find what they are looking for and sharing my knowledge about various products.

 What inspires you most about your workplace?

Seeing regular customers I’ve helped come back, as well as a great crew to work with.

 What in your opinion makes Fresh Thyme stand out?

It's a very friendly environment with great customer service. Our departments are well maintained.

Queen of the Counters/Bookie
Newport Ave. Market

What's the best part of your job?

The diversity of my position. I am always doing something new every day, given new learning opportunities and because of this I am able to gain knowledge and experience to expand my opportunities. It keeps me interested and wanting to learn more!

What inspires you most about your workplace?

The room employees are given to grow within the store is inspiring. Oftentimes, rather than outsourcing, the company first looks within to give employees an opportunity to learn something new or grow in the position they’re in. This alone builds confidence in people and gives them a sense of importance.

What in your opinion makes Newport Ave. Market stand out?

There are a lot of things that make Newport stand out. Just look at all the murals and bright colors on the building, which definitely catches one's eye. Then you step inside and really have to take your time looking from the floor to the ceiling, with all the decor and fun gadgets throughout. Stepping in the store you will quickly realize it isn't your average grocery store. Employees here try to learn your name, know who you are and recognize you the next time you come in. The market has been around a long time and because of that as well as our customer service, we have a lot of long-time shoppers that see us as a friends or even family.

Front-end Supervisor, Juicing and Floral Supervisor
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

What’s the best part of your job?
I love that I am encouraged to try new things and to be innovative, and if it doesn’t work out, I’m supported to learn.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

My job gives me the opportunity to have a positive impact on people's lives. I aspire to inspire people. Ultimately, I love my job and the awesome, talented, funny, dedicated people I work with across the company.

What in your opinion makes Fresh Thyme stand out?

On a daily basis, there is a sense that we are working toward a grand, achievable vision and I proudly see us making great strides to making it a reality every day.

Kitchen Cougar/Housewares Manager
Newport Ave. Market

What’s the best part of your job?

The people I work with. There are people I can talk to about anything personal or work-related. Having my own department to run and the great customers we have and traveling and attending shows.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

Having the freedom to try new things on my own.

What in your opinion makes Newport Avenue Market stand out?

We are a one-of-a-kind store in Bend. We strive to do different things and to be different. Our customer service is by far the best in town. When I go to other stores, it makes me realize how good our employees are at what they do. We have fun with what we do and don't take ourselves to seriously.

Grocery Grasshopper/General Store Manager
Newport Ave. Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Hands down, the people! I love our customers and our amazing employees. It is so rewarding to work with a company that is so well respected in the community

What inspires you most about your workplace?

Other than the amazing customers and employees, I’d have to say it’s the vibe. This might not make sense if you haven’t been here, so you should come over to Bend, Ore., and see for yourself.

What Makes Newport Avenue Market stand out?

There’s selling milk and bananas, and then there’s selling milk and bananas Newport Market style. We are all about the experience. Be fair with prices but educate employees on the products they sell. We travel often to farms and businesses, that way we have an emotional commitment to their product. I often refer to our store as the Disneyland of grocery stores. Did you see the 10-foot bear or big Foot outside? The mural of our beautiful city covering our building, not to mention the amazing design work throughout the interior. We have cool products from around the world, that were sourced from traveling to trade shows, and amazing products made in house daily. But it always comes back to each employee’s knowledge, the ‘wow’ factor when you come into the store, and genuine customer service that makes the difference.

Employee Owner/Checker
Newport Ave Market

What's the best part of your job?

I like coming to work because it's like a home away from home to me; it feels like family and that makes me smile.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

I really love our customers, who make me feel proud to work here.

What in your opinion makes Newport Ave. Market stand out?

We are unique! We have a lot of specialty items you can't find at other stores. Newport Ave. Market also has things likes like top quality housewares items, fresh meat and seafood that customers who have moved still call and order to be sent to them in other states, a big specialty cheese selection, and sushi made daily in the store too. Our wine and beer selection is huge with a lot to choose from and we also just added a liquor store too. Plus, there are lots of tasty treats in the deli/bakery and a beautiful produce display on the other side of the store.

Store Director
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Working with people.

 What inspires you most about your workplace?

Growing with a new company. I feel I can make a difference in helping the company succeed.

 What in your opinion makes Fresh Thyme stand out?

It’s a great place to work in a fast, fun, friendly environment. I feel like my opinion matters.

Employee Owner/Grocery
Newport Ave. Market

What’s the best part of your job?

Bagging groceries because I like the customers they’re sweet + kind + nice.

What inspires you most about your workplace?

The employees cause their fun to work with.

What Makes Newport Avenue Market stand out?

Good service, good customer service.