IN-STORE SANTA—Was just one of many things to do and see at the Ric’s Food Center “Taste of Ric’s” holiday event held Thursday, December 3. Here, Hailey Nye, 5, of Bella Vista, tells Santa her holiday wishes. Outside she enjoyed her very first horse-drawn carriage ride.“We consider this a great success,” said Store Director Dave Brickner at the Taste of Ric’s at Ric’s Food Center Thursday, December 3.
The store, 6767 Belding Road, is a family-owned operation with a commitment to being involved in the community where the store is located. Offering open house events such as the Taste of Ric’s is one way they invite residents to stop in and see what they have to offer.
“People even showed up early,” said Brickner of the 4 to 7 p.m. event. The year’s first snow didn’t stop shoppers from checking out the dozens of samples offered store-wide that day.
“This is wonderful,” Brickner said of the crowds. He was most pleased to see new faces at the store and knows if people take the time to compare prices and products offered at Ric’s, they will be return customers.
HAMMING IT UP—Maddie, 10, and Matthew, 6, Twyman enjoyed every bit of the honey glazed ham samples they tried. “He just put it in his mouth and it was gone,” Maddie said of her brother’s sample.
Brickner said customers and vendors alike enjoy the open houses. Carriage rides outside enhanced the holiday atmosphere as did Santa and his elves indoors. Kids and adults crowded the karaoke machine and nobody should have left hungry.
“These aren’t just little finger-food samples,” Brickner noted, pointing out the taste treats ranged from roast beef and kielbasa to ice cream, to sandwiches and pizza. “This isn’t about sales, this is about people getting to know what their Ric’s has to offer.”
GOOD EATS—The Blackgrove boys, Josh, 10, and Sam, 8, really liked the store-made kielbasa presented by the Ric’s meat department. Their mom, Ruthie, said the family is in the store “literally five days a week.” In the summer, the boys said, they are in there every day.
SECONDS—Going back for more of the Gia Russa preserves, all made in a green facility, are Matthew, just turned 5, Zack, 9 and dad Mike Zavadil. Mike said his family just loves the store and especially appreciates the attention to customer service. “They have good people here,” he commented.
LIVE MUSIC—Is more fun when you get to sing it yourself. Youngsters singing karaoke provided photo ops for their parents and set a festival mood in the store.
DOUBLE THE FUN—Twins Matthew and Alex Summerfield, 8, tried everything, but said they liked the ice cream best.
Comments by our Readers