Coffee with: Shopping an idea for Tsawwassen grocery buyers
When she was attending Brookswood Secondary School in Langley, Grace MacInnes had mapped out a future in teaching.
Today, the newly appointed manager of the Tsawwassen Thrifty Foods store says that goal still lives on more than 20 years later—except that instead of imparting knowledge amid desks and chalk boards she has aisles of products, a staff of around 170, and a loyal customer base who see the store as more than just a place to get their groceries.
MacInnes got into the grocery business while still in high school and originally viewed it as a way to fund her university aspirations.
"But the (grocery business) money back then was better than what the teachers were making, to be honest, so I just kept going and moved into management and never really looked back," MacInnes says as she tours one of her favourite places in her store—the produce section, for its variety of interesting products.
MacInnes adds she enjoys her role today which allows her to "teach" in a different way.
"That part of it, I still feel I have found a way to be able to share knowledge, which is neat."
An employee with Thrifty Foods for the past six years, MacInnes says she likes the unique nature of the Tsaswwasen store, which has the distinction of having the highest sales volume of the four based in the Lower Mainland.
"What's kind of unique about Thrifty Foods is that we do really give a lot to the community," she says, adding the difference at her location is that decisions are made at the store level which allows closer interaction with the community.
That, in had with a strong focus on customer service, means the store plays a broader role than just being a place to shop.
"I really enjoy people and conversing. There's a lot of seniors who come in here and get their coffee every day. And this is like a social setting for them," she says. "Just getting to meet the people who come in every day is neat. It's what helps build a community."
MacInnes has committed herself to undertake
a high profile in the community, following in the footsteps of previous store manager Andy Carter who, she estimated, spent about half of his work time connected to various local groups and causes.
"That was unique, because on the island (Vancouver Island) that's more of a corporate thing. Here, we try to get more entrenched in the community and Andy did a very good job of that. And I need to make sure I carry that on."
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