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.”