Convenience store owners, managers and food preparers from across Massachusetts and New Hampshire were honored recently for being the best in their industry at the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association’s annual Operator of the Year Awards.
The awards were held March 21 at Bally’s Twin River in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where the association honored several managers, operators and employees at Massachusetts stores in Marlboro, Gloucester, Gill, North Chelmsford, Ayer, Easthampton and Boston, as well as in Epsom and Chichester, New Hampshire.
“These awards recognize excellence in our industry and honor the store owners who go the extra mile to provide a great experience for customers,” said NECSEMA Executive Director Peter Brennan.
“Convenience stores are essential businesses and are much more than just a place to buy gas and lottery today. Our stores are part of the fabric of local communities, offering an ever-increasing variety of healthy food options and groceries, and I’m proud to recognize the efforts of all the winners.”
NECSEMA honored winners in several categories, including merchandising, food service, customer service, store design and overall excellence. Many were honored for their innovation in the industry, by offering a variety of healthy, chef-curated food options, expert service and creative convenience, exhibiting how today’s convenience stores evolve and adapt to offer more choices for customers.
“Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you for elevating the customer experience,” said NECSEMA Director of Marketing Lisa Lawinger-Brown.
“Each winner was recognized for their commitment to customer service and for helping make their communities more vibrant by offering essential goods and services in a welcoming environment.”
The winners this year include:
- Manager of the Year: Laurie Largess, Alltown Fresh, Marlborough, Massachusetts.
- Second-place manager: Danielle Beaulieu, Common Man Roadside, Epsom, New Hampshire.
- Third-place managers: Bob Barr, Haffner’s, Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Karen Timberlake, The Mill, Gill, Massachusetts.
- Category Winner Managers:
- Merchandising: Talal Yatim, YATCO Chelmsford Gulf, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts;
- Food service: George Bonderenko, Alltown Fresh, Ayer, Massachusetts;
- Customer service: Maria Colpak, Cumberland Farms, Easthampton, Massachusetts; and
- Store design/interior/exterior conditions: Dani Joumaa, Nouria Boston Logan, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Community Service Award: Sarah Santagate, Rapid Refill, Chichester, New Hampshire.
- Owner-Operated Store of the Year: Marshall Royce, Cha’s Convenience, Winchester, New Hampshire.
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About NECSEMA
The New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association represents and promotes the interests of more than 1,700 convenience store and service stations across New England by providing members with legislative and regulatory advocacy on key issues and valued services for all members, including resources, networking, training and educational programs.