Amid perfect summer weather in March, hundreds of residents drove, biked and even ran over to the Trancas Country Mart to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Malibu’s Vintage Grocers.
And the store was ready to celebrate.
“I want to thank everybody for coming out to our first-year anniversary at Vintage Grocers,” Market Manager Eric Fuchser said to the cheering crowd that lined up to receive one of 250 gift bags. “We are so grateful … Enjoy this gorgeous day and come on in!”
In-between congratulating employees on the store’s milestone, residents waited in line for the official 10 a.m. opening and could be heard yelling to friends, “free stuff if you wait in line!” — a testament to the draw of a gift bag, even in Malibu.
“This year went by so quickly and to have the community come out and support us like they have all year … it brings me to tears,” Fuchser said.
Tents set up throughout the parking lot provided shade for customers as local band The Roman Helmets played on a stage in the outdoor dining court. Additional attractions included donkeys from One Gun Ranch, different food sampling stations and, of course, a Hawaiian shaved ice stand.
Last year’s opening festivities were fairly similar and drew a crowd of hundreds of eager locals, ready to welcome the newest store to their beloved community.
Before Vintage Grocer’s opened on March 5, 2014, Manager Mary Carbonniere admitted to being nervous about the community’s initial response to the independent grocery store.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Carbonniere said with a sigh and radiant smile. “Once we got here, we had so many people come and tap on our door … getting to know the community one-on-one. I was so wrong worrying about being welcomed and accepted.”
Customers agreed employees at the store were one-of-a-kind and dedicated to providing an excellent service to the community.
“The staff puts in such effort and beyond,” Malibu resident and regular shopper Marjorie Hensen said. “This place is so friendly and helpful. Eric is so pleasant and he always remembers who you are … it’s really touched my heart.”
Between handshakes and hugs, Fuchser was excited to see so many familiar faces walking through the store.
“We’re serious about a community store,” Fuchser said. “It’s about establishing relationships with all the challenges of growth in general. All of this … it’s all because of the customers.”
“Did you know it’s his birthday as well?” Fuchser’s wife Linda said as she hugged customers walking by to congratulate the family on the anniversary. “He doesn’t know this, but I got him a watch to never forget this time … that it was all about remembering this time that we have had. This is a dream.”
As the band played in the background and customers continued shuffling into the store well after the supply of gift bags ran out, Fuchser took a deep breath and smiled.
“We’re grateful,” Fuchser said. “We respect the fact that we’ve been given an amazing gift and responsibility, and were just going to honor that and keep pushing forward. We’ll do this again next year for sure.”
So, what is Fuchser’s secret to keeping employees and customers happy?
“It’s a handshake,” Fuchser said. “It’s to look a person in their eyes and talk to them, and that’s all there is to it.”
