NORTH SMITHFIELD – Convenience store owners, managers and food preparers from across New England 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, including the manager of a busy store in Slatersville.
Amber Lucier, manager of the Cumberland Farms on Victory Highway, was honored for “Community Service” for leading the store’s $20,000 fundraising effort that benefitted the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and the Disabled American Veterans.
The awards, held at MGM Springfield, also honored several managers, operators and employees at Massachusetts stores in Boylston and Brockton, Mass.; Winchester, Richmond and Chichester, Vt.; Ellington, Conn.; and Orland, Maine.
“It’s an honor to recognize these dedicated store owners, operators and managers, all of whom put in the extra work to create a pleasant experience for their patrons,” NECSEMA Executive Director Peter Brennan said. “Convenience stores are part of the fabric of local communities, as proven by the efforts of all of our honorees. Our members’ stores not only provide fuel, coffee and lottery, they are also a valuable source for healthy meals, groceries, and an ever-expanding array of household items.”
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 wide variety of healthy, chef-curated food options, expert service and creative convenience, exhibiting how today’s convenience stores continually evolve and adapt to offer more choices than ever.
Winners were chosen from more than 60 nominees by a panel of 22 judges who are members of NECSEMA’s Board of Directors.
“Congratulations to all of our winners – especially those who have now been honored multiple times,” said NECSEMA Director of Marketing Lisa Lawinger-Brown. “All of the honorees should be proud of providing outstanding customer service and making their communities better.
NECSEMA 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
