By Marc Wallerce
As the year winds down, we at the Winthrop Marketplace would like to reflect on why we do what we do.  Yes, we are a small grocery store, but we feel we are so much more. We are family owned, independent, customer service driven, and ingrained in the community. There are so many options nowadays for our customers to do their shopping, and we are grateful for each and every person that chooses us over someone else.
Now being a smaller store has its own challenges. We can’t carry every product and may not have 30 different types of salsa or 75 different types of cereal. We have limited storage space to hold all of inventory, and we may not be able to compete on price with every item when compared to other big box corporations. And finally, we don’t have an expansive parking lot to accommodate all of our customers desired parking positions.  But I know that we strive to make up for any of these shortcomings by doing all that we can.
And that starts with our customer service. Being family owned and operated, we do our best to create a family atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Our staff is our extended family and our customers are our guests at our home. Our employees work in multiple departments and they are quick to help out each other and our customers. For our customers are much more than just that, our customers. They are our neighbors, friends, relatives, teachers and coaches. And we try to make sure that each person that shops at our store is greeted with a warm welcome and a helping attitude.
We try our best to carry the products that you want with the high quality you deserve, but with new items coming out daily and every customer having a unique set of preferences, it’s a constant struggle. Being an independent store, we can make decisions and implement changes much faster than large chain businesses. Accordingly, as trends change and our customer’s preferences evolve, we can quickly adapt to the needs of our customers. So if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we will do our best to track that product down and bring it in just for you. With a multitude of vendors, specialty food companies, and one of the largest grocery wholesalers in the country working with us, we have access to thousands upon thousands of items. And with multiple deliveries per week, we can provide a very quick turnaround time for bringing in your product. So if you are ever looking for something that we don’t carry, just let us know. If there is any way for us to get it to you, we will.
As for our parking lot, well we only have so much room. One way that we are trying to alleviate this problem is by working with the local cab company to shuttle groceries to our customers that have a difficult time getting to our store.  Furthermore, we are exploring the feasibility and logistics of online ordering where you just come in and your groceries are bagged and waiting for you. And as your community grocery store, we are always open to ways to improve upon your experience. Besides expand our store, what would you like to see us do? Let us know, your ideas and suggestions help make our store better.
Sure, a large corporate supermarket may offer more space and items, but we like to think that what truly sets us apart is how we work with our community. We are invested in the overall success on Winthrop and give back as much as we can. We are the first job for many students, and it is always amazing to watch each of them grow and develop into respectful and commendable adults. We work with a number of charitable organizations and make donations to a large variety of social services throughout the year. From serving on town boards and committees, to sponsoring town events, to helping out families in need, we at the Winthrop Marketplace feel compelled to help. We do it because it’s the right thing to do and believe that communities work better when communities work together.
So let’s continue to work together in making Winthrop and our store all it can be. Whether it is because of our clean and welcoming environment, our friendly and helpful staff, or our high quality items, it is our hope that you will continue to support our store as we continue to support the town of Winthrop and its many charities. We hope that you have had a wonderful holiday season and we wish you a Happy New Year. May it be filled with prosperity, joy, and success.
Marc Wallerce is the owner of the Winthrop Marketplace.