The Carthage, N.Y. Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes team was honored last night as Retail Business of the Year at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Awards Banquet. 

 

 “From the day we opened the store, we have strived to be an important member of the community and the folks (in Carthage) realize and appreciate that,” said Fran Duskiewicz, senior executive vice president for Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

 

In introducing the retail winner, the hosts mentioned the great food and beautiful store, but then got to major reason for the award: the people. “They are happiest group of people I know! I never go in there when somebody isn’t smiling at me and being nice to me! Their happiness is contagious,” according to the Carthage Chamber of Commerce who hosted the event.

 

Nice N Easy also used the occasion to announce to the community that Valerie Conley had been promoted from Carthage Store Director to Nice N Easy (NNE) District Manager. Conley is being featured in the Convenience Stores Decisions’ Rising Star section this month. Linda Widrick was also announced as the new Store Director after serving as the store’s Foodservice Director during Conely’s tenure.

 

“I think what the Carthage Chamber of Commerce appreciated most was that just about the entire staff of 20 people was at the dinner and that NNE represented about a third of the crowd. What they did not know-and what exemplifies the NNE spirit better than anything-was that Star Lake Manager Tonya Lutz and some of her crew came to the Carthage store to cover for the staff as they accepted their award. After working a full day in their own store.  THAT is why we are who we are,” Duskiewicz said.

 

He added, “It was a great night and it was an honor to share it with our people!”

 

Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes is featured in Convenience Store Decisions’ November issue as the 2009 Convenience Store Chain of the Year.