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Parma's New Grocer
By focusing on what is really important to shoppers, Acme Fresh Market store director John Pribonic has helped create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in the former Tops in Parma. Photos by Benjamin Margalit
By staying connected with area farmers, we’re able to stock a lot of locally sourced produce.
Parma’s newest grocery store delivers on its promise of quality products, low prices, friendly people—and fast checkout.
By: Mimi VanderhavenDate: 05/13/2008
Every day since the dawn of time, busy people all over the globe have asked themselves the same question:
What’s for dinner?
If your grocery store of choice was the Tops Friendly Market in Parma’s Pleasant Valley Shopping Center, you may have had more difficulty answering that question since the store’s closing in December of 2006. But knowing what’s for dinner just got easier thanks to the May 2nd grand opening of the new Acme Fresh Market in the same location.
“We are thrilled to be here,” announces Store Director John Pribonic with his signature warm smile. “We’re a different kind of grocery store.”
Founded in Akron, Ohio over 100 years ago, The Fred W. Albrecht Grocery Company owns and operates 16 Acme Fresh Markets throughout Northeast Ohio. What makes this grocer so different is the company’s intense focus on the things that matter most to shoppers—quality products, low prices, friendly people and fast checkout.
Quality Products
Acme Fresh Market specializes in fresh meat and produce. “We offer all-natural, Certified Angus Beef and Gerber all-natural chicken,” John beams. “Plus, we cut all of our own meat. Our trained meat cutters are professional, friendly and right here onsite, handling any special cuts a customer requests.”
Fresh produce arrives daily from around the world—and around the block. “By staying connected with area farmers, we’re able to stock a lot of locally sourced produce,” John says. “You absolutely cannot find fresher produce anywhere else, unless you grow it yourself.”
But Acme’s commitment to buying locally goes beyond meat and produce. You’ll also find Seattle-style coffee roasted locally, Stancato’s Pasta Sauce produced by the Stancato family, Bunny Bee sauerkraut balls made down the road in Akron, and more. “We were the very first grocer to carry the locally produced Purell hand sanitizer,” John adds. “In fact, we test marketed it.”
When you visit the store, you’ll quickly notice that Acme did its homework before opening here in Parma. “We refuse to open cookie cutter stores,” John assures. “Parma and surrounding communities are highly diverse. So we’ve packed this store with items that reflect that diversity, including imported cheeses and other specialty products. But if you can’t find something you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll see if we can get it.”
The new store also features many quick and easy prepared meals, including Mimi’s favorite—fresh rotisserie-roasted chicken, turkey breast, pork roast and baby back ribs. Just take ‘em home and eat ‘em. And the convenient packaging means these delicious meals come with “a built-in maid service.”
Low Prices
According to company president Steve Albrecht, Acme embraces a higher purpose than simply “selling stuff.”
“We’ve been feeding the families of our community for over 100 years,” he says. “That’s a responsibility we take very seriously. And we know that feeding a family is all about value and low prices.”
Actually, Acme’s prices are competitive even with warehouse clubs and “limited assortment stores.”
Shop them right, and you can save even more.
“Our ad circular beats everybody’s,” John says. “It’s filled with the best specials, the best assortment, and the best prices.” Find the circular each week in the Saturday Plain Dealer or in your mailbox if you are not a subscriber. Acme regularly features truckload specials and other “Hot Buys” that reduce your grocery bill even further. Plus, the Acme Savings Card gives you additional discounts and instant in-store coupons at the register.
Another way to save money is to choose Food Club products. That’s one of Acme’s private label brands. “Buying Food Club products saves you 20% on average,” John assures. “And our quality is guaranteed. If you’re not satisfied with any Food Club product, bring it back and we’ll give you DOUBLE your money back.”
Also find money-saving brands like Top Care, Valu Time, Top Crest, World Classics and others.
“The real secret to saving money and getting the most out of the family budget is simply to eat at home,” John reveals. “We call it ‘The Surprising Power of the Family Meal.’ It’s not only less expensive; it’s better for you. We feature easy-to-prepare meals, an extensive selection of frozen foods—including delicious self-rising pizzas—and 16 feet of bagged salads. Forget 30 minutes; we can help you prepare a nutritious chef salad in under five minutes.”
Friendly People
Acme’s legendary customer service begins with hiring friendly people—then sending them to school. “Our College of Customer Service is held every Saturday,” John explains. “It’s a special orientation for new and veteran employees where we teach tenets of good customer service and the details of our policies and procedures. We want to make grocery shopping fun for our customers and our employees.”
The program must be working. Acme boasts one of the industry’s highest employee retention rates. In June, another 25 loyal associates will be honored with 40-year pins at the company’s annual Pin Party.
Friendly service also includes fun merchandising and promotions. One of Acme’s mantras is “energizing customers with product.” “You’ll find merchandise within ten feet of walking through our doors,” Steve Albrecht adds.
Friendliness extends to the internet, too. At www.acmestores.com you can view weekly specials, order chicken, cakes, flowers and more online, and even establish your own My Acme Account—giving you an email link to weekly specials.
Among the store’s four weeks of grand opening events, look for ventriloquist and comedienne Lynn Trefzger performing on May 18 at 2:30 p.m., and again on May 24 at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. And every day don’t be surprised if a manager hands your children a Buck Kid Dollar. “Buck is our canine mascot,” John smiles. “We have a special dollar with his picture on it. It’s legal tender for Acme kids only.”
Other services include a complete deli, a fresh bakery, a floral department, a full service discount pharmacy, off-site catering, nutrition tours, fundraising opportunities and more.
Although there is a lot going on at the new Acme, at some point you do have to leave.
Fast Checkout
“Nothing is more frustrating than a long line at checkout,” John concludes. “We are a very popular grocery store so we cannot guarantee that you won’t wait, but we do a lot to keep it to a minimum. First, we hire
fast, friendly people and train them well.
Second, if it’s a busy day, all of our checkout lines will be open. Every single one of them. We think an incredible grocery shopping experience should end well, too.”
Now, what’s for dinner?
The new Acme Fresh Market is located at 1225 Pleasant Valley Road in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center. The store phone is 440-842-6332. Reach the pharmacy at 440-842-6700. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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