Blythewood IGA employees celebrate their third Five Star award in a row.
BLYTHEWOOD – For the third year in a row, the Blythewood IGA has been recognized as a Five Star store, the highest level in IGA’s Assessment Program. Only two stores in the state are awarded Five Star recognition each year.
The award is old hat for Blythewood store manager Joe Schillaci who has won the award for 13 years in a row before he was transferred to Blythewood IGA three years ago. His store in Georgia received the award three times. When he took over management of the Pageland, SC IGA, that store took home the top prize every one of the 10 years he was there. Schillaci subsequently brought his winning ways to Blythewood where he has won the award the last three years for a total of 16 consecutive wins.
But Schillaci doesn’t take all the credit.
“The award is a testament to our employees’ attention to our customers and to our products,” Schillaci said. “Our team of employees is exceptional. Many of them have been with the store for 30 years. They know our customers and they are dedicated to serving those customers. Very simply, their service sets them apart from our competition.
“It’s an honor,” Schillac said of the award, “an honor for the store, the employees, for all of us.”
My wife and I frequently eat breakfast and lunches at IGA and the food is home style cooking which we as Blythewood residents and Columbia born appreciate very much. the staff is very professional and yet friendly. I am embarrassed that i do not know all the peoples’ names even they they wear name tags. I saw the man named Ben down on the floor stocking cans and I am amazed that he was doing it with ease. I am 75 and if i got down there i would be there for a while. Thanks for the fresh produce and good cuts of meats. And no, I do not have anyone in my family working there. This is from my heart.