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Associates can read the e-BREEZE on the Acme Fresh Market web portal!
Fall 2014 Observations
Acme Fresh Market opened
a new Store- Acme Fresh
Market #21 in Green, Ohio – on
October 16, 2014! If you have
a chance, stop in and shop! In
the meantime, let me tell you
about our new store- from the
“outside – in”.
Our new store’s “Acme
Fresh Market” building sign towers over the real-estate
development and shouts from all angles and views that
Acme Fresh Market is now “here” in Green, Ohio. Our
customers park in a wonderfully accessible parking lot
with extra wide parking spaces. As our customers walk
to the store they see a beautiful barn stone veneer that
fronts the entrance and emits a feeling of quality and
“place” second to none. Two entrances- a main entrance
and a side entrance- means that for convenience Acme
Fresh Market #21 is the place to go. Lastly, and this you
will have to see to believe, on the front corner of the
building is a modern glass-walled farm silo that will house
a clock, and seating for 70 customers for in-store dining.
You “can’t miss” Acme Fresh Market #21 from the outside!
planked ceiling creates a very welcoming, light, and airy
feeling upon entering the store. Fresh produce greets
the shopper first, followed very closely by the welcoming
smells of coffee from Acme Fresh Market’s beverage
center. The prepared food section features a salad bar,
hot food service bar, and smoked meats section, and the
side entrance to our Acme Fresh Market #21 leads directly
to the prepared foods for maximum convenience. Our
specialty bakery with fresh baked bread from a multideck hearth oven warms customers as they shop the
store. A 24 foot service meat case with a 6 foot service
fish ice case presents our high quality meats and seafood
products. The overall effect of the “power alley” format
is to create a “market” feel to the store; however, with
the light pine planked roof, light and clean color choices
for the walls, and freshness of product- this is not an old
world street market. Acme Fresh Market #21 is modern,
fresh, light, and happy!
Acme Fresh Market #21 also has a very large Natural
and Organic Department, Pharmacy, Frozen Food and
Dairy Department, Adult Beverage complete with a
wine tasting and Growler Bar, and a wonderful section of
health and beauty. To maintain the light and airy feeling
into the traditional grocery aisles….well, you’ll just have
The inside of our Acme Fresh Market store is a“power alley” to come see for yourself the eight giant windows that let
format store which means all Perishables Departments- the blue sky shine in!
produce, deli, bakery, and meat- are on one side of the store
and that grocery, frozen, dairy, and general merchandise I hope you’ll stop in and shop our newest Acme Fresh
are on the other side of the store. A beautiful light pine- Market in Green, Ohio!
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT ACME FRESH MARKET!
ED HARRISON
DIRECTOR – OPERATIONS
Acme Fresh Market just
completed a major remodel of
our Montrose location, built a
brand new store on top of an
older store at our State Road
location and opened a brand
new store in Green, Ohio!
What does this excitement on the “Place Corner” mean
for our associates? One word: Opportunity!
Our President, Jim Trout, hosted a workshop in September
on the keys to success at Acme Fresh Market. Many
associates attended, and to those that did, “Thank You.”
I always say that Acme Fresh Market associates are what
makes our stores successful – and having so many of you
attend a workshop on becoming a leader at Acme Fresh
Market made me feel very good about our company’s
future.
For those who could not attend the workshop, I want to
share what I learned from Jim Trout.
First, Acme Fresh Market’s goal is to create Highly
Satisfied Customers. Right now, 86% of our customers
report they are Highly Satisfied Customers – that’s good!
How do we keep that momentum going? Simple- Low
Prices, Friendly People and Fast Checkout. Guess what?
Two of those are up to you!
• Customers like Friendly People – so when you put
your name badge on, take care of our customers
with a smile, ask “May I Help You?” and say “Thank
you!”
• Customers love Fast Checkout! If you are running
register or packing, make sure you focus on the
customer and get them out of the store as fast as
you can!
Second, in order to be successful at Acme Fresh Market,
associates need to Create Need and Fulfill Need. What
does that mean? Simple – Grocery 101 – Keep the
Shelves Full. How can you do that? A few ideas.
• Don’t Miss Work. Calling off places an undue burden
on your fellow associates.
• Be on time. It’s tough to keep the shelves full when
associates aren’t there to fill them.
• Work Hard. Even when your manager isn’t watching.
Some other important thoughts:
• Always be Honest. Acme Fresh Market holds
associates to a high standard of integrity, and we
will not tolerate theft or dishonesty.
• Dress like an expert! Wear Acme Fresh Market
apparel (ask your Head Cashier how to order) and
always maintain a business like appearance.
As Acme Fresh Market grows, there are many
opportunities for associates in our stores. Whether you
decide to stay with Acme Fresh Market for a few years,
or make it a career, my goal is to find the right position
for you at Acme Fresh Market.
If you are interested in taking on more responsibility or
becoming a full-time associate, look for the Opportunity
Postings that are posted by the time clock at your store.
If you aren’t sure if you are ready for the position, ask
your store director to help you get ready!
I hope to interview many of you for leadership positions
at Acme Fresh Market in the near future!
ACME FRESH MARKET CATERING NEWS
Chef Marc D’Antonio. “We are the exclusive caterer for
the Turkeyfoot Island Club in Portage Lakes. We also do
DIRECTOR OF CATERING
many weddings and events at venues such as Akron
Where can you find Acme Art Museum, Hale Farm and Village, and Stan Hywett
Fresh Market Catering? It’s Hall and Gardens.” says Chef Marc.
located in Acme Fresh Market
# 14 on Manchester Road. But Acme Fresh Market Catering provides much more than
that’s not the only place you’ll just delicious food. The team can plan and execute an
find the Catering team, led by event from start to finish. Space planning, decorations,
CHEF MARC D’ANTONIO
Acme Fresh Market Catering News Continued ...
PROBLEM SOLVED!
The problem: Many seniors do
linens, music, bar and wait staff are all important parts
not have a place to conveniently
of a successful event. The Catering team must keep in
place their walking canes when
step with trends in event planning in order to provide
they use a motorized shopping
the highest level of service. “Right now rustic weddings
cart. Also, many folks using canes
are very popular. We might use burlap and lace to
often forget their canes when they
decorate. We may incorporate Ball jars for that country
use a motorized shopping cart.
feel. Often the look of the event influences menu
choices. We do everything from herb roasted chicken to
The solution: A cane holder
a sophisticated duo plate like filet mignon and salmon.” attached to the basket of a motorized cart. A simple
says Chef Marc. A Party Planner works with each client and practical idea presented to Bailey Road Store
– often brides – to make sure their vision comes to life. Director Doug Flinn by an enterprising customer. “He
Catering is much more than buffets and plated dinners. was concerned that germs [on the bottom of the canes]
Chef Marc’s Chip Station is a popular choice for parties came into contact with food items,” said Flinn. Also, the
and events. Housemade potato, tortilla, and pita customer noted that cane users sometimes forget their
chips are accompanied by herb onion sour cream dip, canes, leaving them in the baskets. Flinn said he was
guacamole, salsa and hummus. Other popular stations well aware of that problem. “We’d have five to 10 canes
include the Risotto Station, the Shrimp and Grits here,” at any given time, said Flinn, a 40-year employee
Station and the Grilled Cheese Station where guests of the Acme Fresh Market chain.
can choose their own toppings.
Chef Marc was excited to be part of the “Concours
d’Elegance” at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in
September. Acme Fresh Market catered all aspects of
this event for all of the show participants. One of the
nation’s most iconic celebrations of rare and priceless
automobiles, Concours d’Elegance is a weekend of
extraordinary events including art, fashion, music,
food, entertainment, celebrity guests and elegant
automobiles.
For Acme Fresh Market Catering, Fall marks the
beginning of the Holiday Season. Acme Fresh Market
Catering will cater “Deck the Halls Featuring Dazzle,”
an extraordinary musically-animated lightshow
extravaganza at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. It’s a
busy time of year - corporate luncheons, holiday parties,
deliveries and pickups!
If you, your friends, or family are planning a wedding or
event, call Chef Marc and Acme Fresh Market Catering.
Acme Fresh Market Catering provide’s extraordinary
food and event planning at a tremedous value. Plus,
Chef Marc and his expert team make it easy to be a
guest at your own party!
Acme Fresh Market’s best ideas often come from
Customers and associates!
RETAIL U!
Retail U is Acme Fresh
Market’s
main
training
program for new Associates.
Retail U’s goal is to help every
Associate become an Expert
so they can help Acme Fresh
Market create Highly Satisfied
Customers. Highly Satisfied Customers shop often and
recommend Acme Fresh Market to their friends.
Head Cashiers are an important part of Retail U. Head
Cashiers instruct associates on Fast Checkout. Some
of the topics covered include WIC rules, processing
corporate charges, and Acme Fresh Market’s coupon
policy.
Lisa Dowdell, Head Cashier at Acme Fresh Market #16,
turns Fast Checkout training into a game. Lisa created
“Are You Smarter than an Acme Fresh Market Associate”
to keep associates engaged in the learning process.
Lisa says “I want everyone to enjoy this training. The
game makes it fun and competitive. I can see that they
are retaining the information”.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FLORIST
Spotlight on Julie Seibert, Floral Manager - By: Laura Darrow
Have you ever thought about
becoming a florist? Have you
wondered what it’s really like
to be a Florist at Acme Fresh
Market? I spoke to Julie Seibert
from our Floral Hub at Acme
Fresh Market #14 to get a firsthand account of what
it’s really like to be a Florist at Acme Fresh Market!
Julie, how did you become interested in floral design?
I attended floral school after I completed high school.
That was 1977. This is where I learned the technical
aspects of floral design. I began working at Acme
#57 on Waterloo Road in 1985. I worked part-time in
the floral department. Soon I was promoted to Floral
Manager at Acme #10. After 6 years, I was sent to the
Floral Hub at #14.
Why did you want to be a Florist?
I knew I wanted to do floral design. I really enjoy the
creativity of this position. Working with our customers
is the best part of my job. I’m working on events like
weddings, proms, and funerals. People will remember
this transaction for a long time. I like being part of that.
Can you describe a typical day at the Floral Hub?
I usually walk in at 7:30am and I have no idea how
many orders I’ll have for the day. It might be 25 or it
could be 45. Orders are added throughout the day.
Timing is a very important part of my job. We have
to double check the times for funerals. We prioritize
the orders by time and geographic area. I look at the
specific flowers for each arrangement and – especially
if it’s an exotic flower – I call to make sure that we can
order that flower. Then I begin to actually assemble
the order. In between preparing the order, we are
answering the phone, greeting walk-up customers
and consulting with brides. The day goes by very fast!
What is the toughest part of working at the Floral
Hub?
I love everything. Even the busy days are a pleasure.
Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are very challenging
days. There are hundreds of orders and they all must
delivered by 6:00pm. Prioritizing is very important.
We sell a lot of roses!
What is the best part of your job?
The people. I enjoy my co-workers and I enjoy the
customers. I’m part of making memories for them.
And this job is fun. I love working with brides and
designing their flowers. It’s a joy for me. I’m working
with beautiful flowers that smell pretty. I get to be
creative every day. It’s a happy working environment.
I also enjoy keeping up with the latest trends in floral
design. I use Pinterest, read bridal magazines, and
attend industry showcases.
What advice do you have for an Associate that is
thinking about applying for Florist?
Florist is a great career choice at Acme. Anyone who
loves flowers, has a creative edge, and is organized
can succeed in this position. Let your Store Director
know that you have an interest in working in floral.
How can someone apply to be a Florist?
All you have to do is keep your eye out for Opportunity
Postings by the time clock. It is how Acme Fresh Market
communicates job openings to Associates. You submit
a resume or letter of interest by email. It’s that simple.
Thank You Julie!
If you have any questions about the Florist
opportunities at Acme Fresh Market, contact Laura
Darrow (x55251), Manager of Human Resources or
Ed Harrison (x55215), Director of Operations.
LOVE IN THE AISLES….
Kevin Brittain, First Cutter at Acme Fresh Market #15, met his fiancé Molly
Moore while she and her father were shopping last summer. They are
now engaged to be married. It was Molly’s idea to take pictures for the
Save the Date cards in the Acme Fresh Market #15 meat department.
We think they turned out great. Best wishes to Kevin and Molly from
everyone at Acme Fresh Market!