Spirited Virginia Q4 2022 - 11

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE
Rebecca Stokoe, Store Manager, Store 407, Chester
R
ebecca Stokoe had worked in retail
for more than two decades before she
began working with Virginia ABC. Products
may change from industry to industry, but
customer service needs remain the same. And
since Virginia ABC's career page proclaims,
" Virginia ABC employees work hard each day
to bring good spirits and excellent service to
Virginia, " Stokoe's professional background
was an ideal fit for an ABC store.
Tell us a little bit about how you started
working at Virginia ABC.
In November 2019, I found out the company
I worked for was closing at the end of the
year. In December, I came in the ABC store
to shop for Christmas gifts for some of my
coworkers and discovered that they had an
open manager position. I applied for the
job that week and was hired for the store
manager position at store 407 and started
with Virginia ABC on Feb. 25, 2020.
How have your prior job experiences
helped in this job?
Working in customer service for over 30
years-more than 25 years of that in
management-I've come to understand
the experience that customers come to
appreciate and expect. I've also learned
what methods and tools to use to guide
and develop a team in order to provide that
experience.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with the customers and building
a rapport with them. I also enjoy training and
developing employees to grow and achieve.
If there's a product that's currently
unavailable, how do you and your
associates make sure a customer leaves
satisfied?
We are always happy to recommend a
comparable alternative, or we can locate the
item they want at another location, if that's
what they'd prefer. If it's unavailable at a local
store and it's an option to do a special order,
we are more than happy to do so.
There are so many different spirits and
cocktails on Virginia ABC store shelves!
How do you learn about them?
I learn from the team, our customers, Virginia
ABC training and the internet. As a team
we are always asking customers to give us
feedback, especially when they are trying
something new, and then we share that
information with each other and with other
customers.
How do you work to make your store a
great shopping experience for customers
and a success for Virginia ABC?
Through teamwork we provide a clean,
friendly environment for the customer to
want to continue visiting.
Do you have a favorite spirit?
We have so many great spirits, but my favorites
would be Espolòn Tequila and Ketel One
Vodka.
Do you have a favorite cocktail?
I love a great dirty martini.
The Ultimate
Dirty Martini
From Ketel One
Vodka
1½ oz. Ketel One Vodka
1 oz. olive brine
1 whole blue cheese stuffed
olive
Shake with ice in a cocktail
shaker. Serve straight up in a
martini glass. Garnish with a
blue cheese stuffed olive.
-Annie Tobey
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2022 11
Spirited Virginia Q4 2022

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