2019 Q4 Spirited VA - 11

CAROL MAWYER

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE

Mark Grim, Sales Associate, Store 56, Winchester

M

ark Grim and his customers at the Delco
Plaza ABC store in Winchester owe a
nod of gratitude to Grim's wife. In 2012, he had
retired from teaching history, government and
economics and was looking for something
different to do. His wife suggested he apply
for a job at a Virginia ABC store. Now, the avid
fisherman and bourbon aficionado works in the
Winchester store as a part-time sales associate.
What have you enjoyed most about this job?
The most enjoyable part is helping customers
find a product that meets their needs.
I hear you're a bourbon aficionado. How have
you learned about bourbons?
My favorite spirit is indeed bourbon. I've come
to enjoy its flavor over the past 20 years. I've
come to appreciate the wide and varied flavor
profiles bourbons have to offer. Oftentimes,
I would solicit advice from friends; and
knowledgeable customers of bourbon are
always an excellent source of information.
Do you recall a time you were able to share
this knowledge with customers?
One evening a customer came in wanting to
purchase a bottle of bourbon for her father.
She wanted something he hadn't had before,
but she had no idea what. I asked her what
he usually enjoyed. She described a wheat
bourbon, so I showed her three different ones.
She chose one and went happily on her way.

What makes a good Virginia ABC store
employee?
A good ABC store employee demonstrates the "3
P's." Prompt: Always greet customers and help them
find a product that meets their needs. Prepared:
Have the proper mindset to do what makes for a
smooth business operation. Polite: To fellow staff
as well as to customers.
The Virginia ABC values accountability,
service, integrity and performance excellence
in its employees. How do you achieve these?
I try to meet two objectives: that I am a reliable
source of product knowledge for the customer;
and that I work ahead to complete tasks so as
to focus more attention on customer service.
What are important aspects of your job at a
Virginia ABC store?
The store environment and sales floor are a
direct reflection on me and other store staff. So
I enjoy making sure the shelves are full and that
the store promotes a welcoming environment.
With so many products on the shelves, how
do you learn about them all?
I rely on my own information-gathering, as well
as infomation from customers and licensees.
Is there anything else that you'd like
customers to know about you?
I know a lot about bourbon-but not everything.
I am still a "work in progress." -Annie Tobey

#217215

Hatozaki Small Batch
Hatozaki Small Batch Whisky
is a vatting of 100% malt
whiskies which have been aged
in imported bourbon casks,
imported sherry casks and native
Mizunara oak barrels. Rich profile
of sweet cereals and malty dried
fruit with a light touch of smoke
and honey on the finish.

Imported by Niche W. & S.
A Marussia Beverages Company
ourniche.com
Please Drink Responsibly

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019 11
http://www.ourniche.com
2019 Q4 Spirited VA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019 Q4 Spirited VA
