Ward’s Supermarket is taking time to appreciate its customers this week.
Beginning today and ending Tuesday, Ward’s Supermarket, at 515 NW 23rd Ave., will celebrate Customer Appreciation Week.
Ward’s Supermarket, open since 1951, is the only locally owned and family-operated grocery store in Gainesville.
Trish Ward, an owner of the supermarket, said employees are honoring customers for keeping it running strong despite all the stores around it.
Russ Welker, the manager of the natural foods department, said Customer Appreciation Week has been held once a year for the past 10 years.
He said there will be appreciation-week discounts throughout the store.
“It’s to say thank you to all of our wonderful customers,” Welker said.
One of those customers is Christa Tarantino, a UF psychology and criminology senior. The 22-year-old said she plans to go this week to check out the deals.
“Ward’s to me means having great quality food, that can’t-be-beat (price) all in one place,” Tarantino said.
Welker said there will be taste testings and free samples, including cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread and wine from around the world.
Ward’s Supermarket is known for its product selection, quality and prices. It sells a variety of fresh, local produce, seafood, meat, bread and wine, which keep customers like Tarantino coming back.
Tarantino said Customer Appreciation Week is a great way to bring in people who have never shopped there before.
“I first decided to go to Ward’s to check out their local products, and I ended up falling in love with their prices and the supermarket atmosphere that they have,” Tarantino said.
Ward said the store has a wide and loyal customer base.
“We have a relationship with all of our customers,” Ward said. “They are not only customers but also friends.”
[A version of this story ran on page 3 on 3/18/2015 under the headline “Ward’s celebrates customers with appreciation week”]
David Farrell, 48, displays a steak to a Ward's Supermarket customer on Tuesday.
