Click here to subscribe today or Login.
LUZERNE — From freshly baked pastries made in store to a fully functioning butcher shop, Gerrity’s Supermarkets strives for customer satisfaction.
The familial atmosphere and commitment to quality has earned the family-run business a gold award in the Times Leader Readers’ Choice Awards.
For co-owner Joe Fasula, the company is honored to not only receive the award, but to know its customers appreciate the work the Gerrity’s family puts into serving the community.
“It’s nice to know our customers notice,” Fasula said.
While the strong sense of family has driven the business since the beginning, Fasula says there are a “blend of things” that give Gerrity’s the edge over other supermarkets, including its in-store food production and competitive sales.
“Our tie to the community is important,” Fausla said. As a local business, he said, the company tries to give back to the community as much as possible through donations and fundraisers.
William Gerrity opened the first Gerrity’s Market in 1895. At first, it was just a small meat shop. According to the store’s website, Gerrity passed the store down to his three sons, William Jr., Joseph and Thomas. After William Jr. moved out of the area and Thomas passed away, Joseph Gerrity became the sole owner.
According to Fasula, his father, Neal, began working in the store when he was about 12 years old and eventually Neal and Joseph Gerrity became partners. Once Gerrity retired, he sold his half of the business to Neal. After Neal passed away, Fasula’s mother, Joyce, known to most as “Mom,” became president of the company and has since become the face of Gerrity’s — something Fasula attributes to the store’s success.
“(Having a female owner) is really powerful in the grocery business, because women do most of the food shopping,” he said. He thinks “Mom” offers a strong connection to the female shopper.
However, if Fasula did have to pick a top reason for the company’s success, it would be the employees.
Fasula said the company is lucky because it has many employees who have been at the company for many years and have invested a lot into their work at Gerrity’s.
“We have employees who are experienced, who care and who give good service,” Fasula said. “They’re the ones that really make it happen.”
Employee Jean Bilbow has been at Gerrity’s for eight years and says it feels like “one big happy family.”
Bilow believes customer service and employee friendliness makes Gerrity’s stand out from other supermarkets in the area.
“I’d like to think we go beyond the call of duty (to make sure) the customer leaves here completely satisfied,” she said.
Bilbow also expressed how the relationship between the owners and employees helps her get more out of her job.
“When I started working here, I had no idea I would get so much more out it,” she said. “You give and you get back.”
