2023 Q2 Spirited VA - 11

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE
Desiree Stewart, Manager, Store 156, Cape Charles
CAROL MAWYER
" I
was working for a bank, and an
employee of ABC was a customer, "
recalls Desiree Stewart. " He was impressed
with my customer service and told me to apply. "
Stewart did, and she began working for
Virginia ABC in 2003, bringing extensive
experience in retail. She started as a clerk-
now called a store associate-and has worked
her way up, serving 19 different stores as a
floating retail specialist, assistant manager
and manager. Now manager at the ABC store
in Cape Charles on Virginia's scenic Eastern
Shore, she describes herself as a " customerservice
kind of person. "
I see you served as a floating retail specialist
for six years. What does that role entail?
My role as a floating retail specialist was to
go around to all the stores in my region and
relieve the manager and assistant manager
when they were out sick or on vacation. Or, if
a store needed help while they were down a
management person, I would go to that store
and work until someone was hired for the store.
How do you stay knowledgeable about the
many products on Virginia ABC store shelves?
I stay knowledgeable by keeping up with the
ABC Retail Store Operations Manual and by
reading Mixer [ABC's daily digital employee
news platform], through MIPS [Virginia ABC's
Management of Inventory and Product Sales
system] and with the emails that come down.
What changes have you seen since 2003,
both at Virginia ABC and among customers/
consumers?
A lot, in both. At Virginia ABC, I've seen changes
in pay and store ordering, inventory and store
shipment. ABC policy has changed as well.
I see consumers spending lots more money. I
see them being more specific about what kinds
of liquor they like and what liquors they would
like to see their neighborhood store carry.
What are some aspects of working at Virginia
ABC that you've enjoyed?
I appreciate the fact that I've worked for and
with so many great people. I learned a lot
from the store managers that I worked under
when I was an assistant manager. I worked
at a total of 19 stores over a six-year period
and don't regret a day of it. I really enjoyed
floating among stores. I like that I've met so
many different people from all over the world
and am still meeting great people because my
store is pretty much considered a tourist store.
Pick one of Virginia ABC's core values-
accountability, service, integrity and
performance excellence-and tell us how
you apply that value in your work.
Accountability: I hold myself accountable for
having a great store and great employees.
Consistency and clarity in sales expectations
are important to keep up motivation and
accountability in the sales team. -Annie Tobey
UNCLE NEAREST
SIDECAR
INGREDIENTS
1.5 OZ UNCLE NEAREST 1884
1 OZ FRESH LEMON JUICE
1 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP
.5 OZ COINTREAU LIQUEUR
METHOD
Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail
shaker with ice. Shake for 8-10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
Garnish with an orange peel.
Drink Honorably™ Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, 46.5% Alc/Vol,
Nearest Green Distillery, Shelbyville, TN. © 2023 Uncle Nearest, Inc.
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2023 11
https://unclenearest.com/1884-small-batch-whiskey/
2023 Q2 Spirited VA

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