#storefrontstories

Behind every storefront, there’s a story

Think about the local shops and restaurants you’ve missed most –  the places and people that have become a part of your life. Like the barista who knows you by name. The restaurant where you celebrate every family birthday. The boutique owner who always has time to chat and give treats to your dog. The businesses are what make The Shops at Farmington Valley feel like home, and the sense of connection they bring feels more valuable than ever.

Now, as they reopen their doors, we’re highlighting some of our neighbors through a new series #storefrontstories. Through photos and five-minute interviews, we’re showcasing and celebrating the people behind the business you love, who have persevered through uncertain times and continue to make The Shops so special.

Watch the stories unfold here and on Instagram and get excited to return to your favorites. Photos courtesy of Nicole Danielle Studios.

ShopRite

Name: Chuck Joseph Sr. and Chuck Joseph Jr. Title: Owners

Q: What do you love most about working at The Shops at Farmington Valley? 

A: There’s a great sense of community in the air at The Shops. People gather from all around the Farmington Valley to enjoy shopping, exercise, and dining in a beautiful atmosphere.  We appreciate the camaraderie and support among the business owners as well.  There’s a common goal of finding more and more ways to improve the customer experience for everyone who visits The Shops.

Q: What’s a positive thing that came out of the shutdown?

A: We and our team live right in the neighborhoods near the Shops. We’re so grateful for our associates. Designated essential workers, they’ve shown up, worked hard and put aside their personal concerns, working around the clock to provide groceries for our friends and neighbors. The outpouring of appreciation for what they do has been wonderful to hear. They truly are heroes!

And on a personal note – with all the playgrounds closed, Chuck III has been taking his two year old daughter Morgan on “Adventure Walks” in the Farmington reservoirs.  They look for animals, plants, flowers and “clues” to investigate, such as footprints, signs and downed trees.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you’d like people to know? 

A: Our store saw tremendous demand for our ShopRite From Home online shopping service.  We increased our order capacity by a factor of four in order to fulfill as many orders as possible.  We trained over 30 new people to work in the department and rented a second delivery van during the peak demand period.  We look forward to continuing to serve customers whether they prefer to shop in store, or online for pickup or delivery.

 

Panera Bread

Name: Kristin Wroblewski and Kathryn Hobson Title: Managers

Q: What do you love most about working at The Shops at Farmington Valley? 

A: We love the atmosphere of working at The Shops. There’s so much going on right outside our doors!

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?

A: We’re so excited to see our staff and our regulars again!

Q: What’s a positive thing that came out of the shutdown?

A: I did a lot of cooking for fun and much needed cleaning that I didn’t have time time to do before!

Q: What’s an interesting fact you’d like people to know? 

A: Because of curbside, the whole crew can now easily point out the make and model of almost any car. 

 

Sephora

Name: Jacqueline Minggia  Title: Manager

Q: What do you love most about working at The Shops at Farmington Valley? 

A: I absolutely love working with all of our lovely clients. I love seeing repeat clients because this is our home away from home so it’s always wonderful seeing a familiar face.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?

A: I am most excited to be back with my team again! It was far too long to be away from each of them. And even though we have a reduced capacity I am excited to give some extra love to our clients coming in.

Q: What’s a positive thing that came out of the shutdown?

A: I learned that I could be super creative and come up with multiple activities per day to keep my 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old entertained while my husband, who is an essential worker, was away during his double shifts.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you’d like people to know? 

A: A fun fact I would like people to know is that I am super passionate about what I do and ensuring that my team has the best environment to work in.