by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Juan Mott can’t wait for his parking lot to be finished.
Valerie Ames can’t wait for the dust and noise to go away.
And, Sharon Moore is looking forward to stocking her new seafood case.
All three work at the Downtown Winn-Dixie on Market Street and all three eagerly anticipate the tentative June 1 grand reopening of the store — one of 528 Winn-Dixies nationwide getting personalized facelifts.
For the Downtown store, the renovations are long overdue. The store has been around for 30 years and nearly every facet is in need of a major facelift. And, it’s getting just that.
A state-of-the-art parking lot complete with a wrought iron fence will assure that Mott, the store’s general manager, doesn’t lose any more shopping carts valued between $45 and $95.
“In a week the lot will be done and the container system will be back up,” said Mott, who will celebrate two years at the store in March and four-and-half years with Winn-Dixie. “In about two weeks we have lost about 30 carts.”
As Mott relayed this problem, an area resident asked to “borrow” a cart. Mott was emphatic and his message got across. In addition to being the store’s GM, Mott is a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu and has fought in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride in Japan, which was bought by UFC last year.
Mott doesn’t fight anymore, but the patience and persistence it takes to train may be coming in handy today. In addition to running the area’s most needy store, Mott must also keep employees focused and upbeat while the sound of near-constant jackhammers, heavy equipment and dust permeate the store from opening to nearly close.
“The main thing is to keep the associates focused and let them know there’s a plan down the road,” said Mott, who oversees a staff of 75. “This was a disaster at first, but now it’s clean and we are almost ready. Execution is key — the correct execution at the right time with the right associates is key to getting the end result.”
Ames has been at the store for four years and with Winn-Dixie for 17. She’s in her fifth department and can’t wait to see the final product.
“I’m looking forward to it a lot,” said Ames, who was stocking apples at the time. “It’s going to make a big difference. It will increase sales and it will be good for the neighborhood.”
Some of the changes are obvious, others you can tell are coming. The new seafood and wine sections jump out immediately. As Mott describes what will go where, his enthusiasm is evident.
While the store may be stocked with new items, the interior will still see major changes. New shelves and cash registers are planned along with an overall rearranging. New flooring, ceiling and lights are also planned. And, much of this will happen overnight without the customers ever being affected.
Mott said sometime shortly before the grand reopening, about 100 people will invade the store after closing and within just a few hours, the shelves will be emptied, replaced and restocked.
In addition to the physical changes, Mott is constantly looking for new associates. He overtly recruits from Publix, usually the Riverside store.
“I look for people with a high standard, look like they are doing a good job, are focused and committed,” said Mott, explaining that he casually observes employees at Publix, Wal-Mart and others before making contact. “I like people with a good work ethic and think highly of themselves. Do they pass you without speaking?”
Does the manager at Publix know he’s there and are they OK with Mott’s recruiting?
“We have a good rapport with the Publix in Riverside,” he said. “They tell me when they are coming here and they come every Thursday.”
In addition to running the store, Mott is also Winn-Dixie’s Downtown “publicist.” As such, Mott finds himself talking to Downtown residents and business owners about the new store and what it will offer.
“I network a lot,” he said, adding he gets to Springfield, Berkman Plaza, The Carling, 11E and others on a regular basis. “I know all the tenants and building owners.”
Mott said those relatively new residential towers have created a new demographic for the Market Street Winn-Dixie, and now it’s Winn-Dixie’s obligation to give those residents a reason to shop Downtown.
“There’s a new demographic moving in that we need to capture,” he said. “I take fruit baskets to lawyers’ offices and let them know we cater events.”
When all is said and done, the renovated store will reflect the commitment Winn-Dixie President and CEO Peter Lynch has made to assuring Winn-Dixie regains its place among the top grocery store chains in the country.