SPVAQ22021 - 9

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE

Jennifer Butts, Store 36, Gainesville

J

ennifer Butts had just turned 21 and was
looking for a second job to earn money for a
new car. She saw a help-wanted sign in an ABC
store window, applied and started as a part-time
sales associate in 2014. Within a couple of years, she
noticed that her career opportunities were better
at Virginia ABC than at her primary job.
" I really liked how ABC fostered promoting from
within, " she says. In May 2016, she became full-time
and has continued to advance.
What do you enjoy about the job?
I'm a really big people person, so I've always
gravitated toward working in customer service
and retail. That's where my skills lie. I like talking
to people. And my creative outlet is cooking and
cocktails, so it's nice to combine my interests and
my source of income.
What changes have you noticed in the industry?
People are gravitating toward higher-end, fancy
cocktails. It's been nice seeing customers explore
other options. Then I get to educate myself so I
can help them.
What are career opportunities like at ABC?
Virginia ABC does an excellent job providing
career opportunities. That's the whole reason I
left my previous job, because there was a lot more
opportunity for growth. The people in leadership
are such great role models and provide good
mentorship to the employees. If you want to move
up, ABC provides a lot of resources to help you grow
at work and as a person. There's something my
grandma told me when I was younger, that the only
thing no one can take from you is your knowledge.
What do you look for in hiring an ABC employee?
I look for somebody who comes off as kind of
charismatic, because a lot of our job is connecting
with customers, and for somebody who's going to
be a big team player. I look for people who would
consider developing a career or who want to learn,
and have previous experience, like in restaurants
or wine retail.
Why is teamwork important at Virginia ABC?
That's a big part of my management style. I would

BILLY FELLIN

i n c l u d i n g

never ask my team to do something that I wouldn't
do myself. If I'm out there busting my butt, they'll
do the same. My Regional Manager Lori Murphy is
an exemplary role model.
Especially this past year, teamwork has been
imperative. There were a lot of times where I got
a phone call at like 10 p.m., " Can you cover this
store tomorrow? "
My store does an exceptional job at supporting
fellow employees. I had to help hire and develop
people at surrounding locations when things took
off in March last year. It afforded me peace of mind
to know that my store was running OK because I
knew my staff were helping each other out.
What's it been like working there during the
pandemic?
This has been one of the hardest years-for
everyone's life, honestly-but it's been amazing
to see how everybody has banded together to
keep stores open. It's been fun to see everybody
put everything aside and help each other out.
Eventually, we all just realized it's not going away
anytime soon, so what can I do to help you and lend
a helping hand? It definitely made us all appreciative
of each other. It's been challenging but rewarding
because there have been a lot of things we've had
to overcome.
People come to a liquor store for all kinds of
occasions--if they're celebrating or not-so it's
been nice to be a pillar of consistency.
How do you stay informed about products?
ABC does a great job-with the Spirited Virginia
magazine, in emails. Personally, I'm the kind of
person that whatever I'm doing, I do a lot of research
so I can offer better service my customers.

NEAR AND DEAR
INGREDIENTS
2oz Uncle Nearest 1856
1oz Chicha Morada Syrup
1oz Lemon Juice
1 Egg white
Purple corn dust (crushed dried
purple corn)
Edible flowers
METHOD

Add first four ingredients to a cocktail
shaker without ice. Shake vigorously
for 8-10 seconds. Add ice and shake
again. Strain into a chilled cocktail
glass. Sprinkle purple corn dust over
half of the cocktail. Place edible
flowers down a line in the center.

What's your favorite spirit and cocktail?
My two go-to's are whiskey or tequila. Both are
versatile with mixed drinks, and they have flavor.
There are so many good cocktails with whiskey,
but I like a whiskey sour with fresh lemon juice.
And tequila-recently I've been into infusing a
blanco tequila with jalapeños so I can make a
spicy margarita.
-Annie Tobey

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2021 9
https://unclenearest.com/
SPVAQ22021

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