“The world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.” Mr Rogers.

To continue the conversation of elevating retail I wanted to share our most recent conversation we had with Crystal Spring Grocery Store in Roanoke VA. It is clear by now that we are disconnected from what it means to create authentic experiences for people in our stores and with our brands and our staff’s education. I know when to stop beating a dead horse and shift to solving the problem.  

As we were learning what Crystal Spring represents we began to talk about the neighborhood and who the grocery store wants to be for the neighbors (all while a Fresh Market, Earth Fare, and Kroger are within 5 miles).  

Why do people come to Crystal Spring Grocery?

You can’t not think about Mr Rogers and what his legacy represents when you talk about being a neighbor.  This quote took me to a different level of what our potential can be in retail. Being the source of people feeling worthwhile. Of course, you have to read the lyrics of the Cheers theme song:

Making your way in the world today

Takes everything you've got

Taking a break from all your worries

Sure would help a lot

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you wanna go

Where everybody knows your name

And they're always glad you came

You wanna be where you can see 

Our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows your name

You know the rest…

Why are people coming to your space? Why are they curious about your brand? Why did your staff come to you for work? What is it about commerce that drives our need for connection?

All questions are worth a conversation. 

Let’s meet and begin to elevate retail.