The End Maybe Near

Have you read in your local papers all about the saga playing out here in New England?  The story of a family run business in turmoil?  Where one cousin was in charge and all kinds of money was being made and new stores held “Grand Openings”,  then the new shareholders wanted the other cousin to run the show. 

Well it has been a well known fact about this families inner turmoil for those who grew up near the where it all takes place.  I have looked on from the outside and as a trucker I have delivered loads of goods that would be placed on the shelves in their stores.

  When I moved to my home in 1988 I made 20 mile round trip runs once a week,  to do my food shopping.  No they were not the only game in town just a place that toted “More For Your Dollar”.  I have shopped at their many stores since I was 18 and now 58 I would say I have been a very loyal customer.  From the very old original stores to my towns brand new one,  I love them all,  what I don’t like is that family squabbles, yes we all have them, have to interfere with the shopping public.

You see back in July they told Artie T. he would have to step aside to let his cousin Arthur S. run the show.  The store was about to take on a look and feel unlike the last 40 years I shopped.  The workers were upset and unrest began pretty quickly.  The workers said “Bring Artie T BACK!”  You see he cared about the company as well as the workers and maybe just a little less about the bottom line as his cousin maybe.  The worker’s made signs. Some stayed home but most worked their shift and then stood outside for a month boycotting the way Artie T. was told to go.  They rallied behind him in a way that makes me so proud.  You see they stood up for a man they loved to work for and held their ground to the point where almost all customers showed their support for them and refused to enter any of the many, many stores of this famous New England supermarket chain.  Have you shopped at one of our Market Baskets/Demoulas stores?

Day after day we had to shop elsewhere.  Customers would bring their receipts to their local boycotted stores and tape them up as a reminder they had to eat and that this is what their beloved stores were loosing in revenue.  Store after store windows were covered with receipts how could management not see?  It has been going on for so many days that it is usually the lead story on our local news.  The duel being played out by the two Arthurs.

Well the recent news on this fiasco is that they will all will be fired should they not go back to the stores and warehouses.  Managers told to CLEAN UP the properties.  Signs of BOYCOTT must come down!  Receipts too!  See they have had enough,  well so did the workers. 

It comes down to power plays and greed.  Artie T. from the moment he was told to go home said he would buy controlling interest from his cousin.  There came a point where this group of CEO’s stated another local food chain was interested in sweeping in to purchase the whole package.  I for one watched that store put a Mom and Pop run small chain out of business when they moved in 3 miles away,  with great prices and as soon as the other one failed up went their prices,  which is why I traveled the 20 miles round trip each week for 40 years.  So should they sell to them I will continue to shop my local Farmer’s Markets and Meat shops yes it will be more expensive but I have my priorities and principles as well and my allegiance is to my much loved Market Basket store.

We miss you Artie T.

Rock on to all those workers who held their ground and brought this company down upon their knees,  begging for customers and for their workers to return to their posts,  when maybe they should stayed on theirs knees just a bit longer and gave thanks to God for all they have enjoyed for so many years here in New England. 

I will miss you so much if you go.
A valued customer indeed