So, I've been a life long DeMoulas/Market Basket fan. My father was friends with Mike DeMoulas and I went to school with his kids. Mike D provided me with a scholarship to help with college. Mike and his son Arty T were generous to thousands of people and charities over the years. (Which is their real legacy...it's not how much money they made, it's how they made this world a better place.) I've been shopping at DeMoulas/Market Basket for 30 years in support and thanks to the DeMoulas family.
Mike and Arty T realized that employees make a company great. They treated their employees fairly and provided profit sharing, retirement, and benefits. Mike and Arty T came to work, visiting stores all the time. They were hard working. Their employees loved them. That is why so many employees have been with the company for so long!
So, when I heard that Arty T was fired as CEO and his cousin took over and appointed less than remarkable board members, I was crushed. His cousin has never worked or visited a store.
I've vowed to not shop at Market Basket anymore. I have a feeling that the new CEO and "board" will sell the company and reap the profits.
The good guys lost. The employees are heartbroken and fear for their future employment. I am keeping the DeMoulas family and all the employees in my prayers during this time.
Post by LoveTrains on Jun 24, 2014 20:19:42 GMT -5
What is up with the store in South Attleboro? It was supposed to open for like, the past six months...but still sits there, all signed up and ready to go...but not open.
When the cousin started making accusations that Arty T was spending money irresponsibly, the board suspended the work on any new stores. Attleboro is just one location that is waiting to open.
Hunh. I just heard many bad things about the DeMoulas (though my source hasn't given me a reason why). I admit I've only gone to our local one a few times, and am not at all familiar with the stores or their history.
When the cousin started making accusations that Arty T was spending money irresponsibly, the board suspended the work on any new stores. Attleboro is just one location that is waiting to open.
Well I hope they open it soon because I like cheap groceries.
Post by 5kcandlesinthewind on Jun 25, 2014 10:42:31 GMT -5
I've heard a few stories over the years about the DeMoulas, and the consensus was that there are two branches of the family that have different ideas about how to manage - one wants to keep it local, and one wanted to sell out years ago. I have no idea which is the "good" side, though.
I find their stores so crowded that I cannot bear to shop there. But their prices are really good, and it'd be a shame if they sold out and the community as a whole lost out on them.
(My husband worked there in high school, and whenever we force ourselves to go there he likes to point out that they make all the guys wear ties, even in 100 degree and humid weather to run around the parking lot collecting carts, and that you never see a female bagger.)
I (heart) Market Basket. I will be so sad if things change! I am going to keep shopping there until they do, though.
5kcandlesinthewind, I love that all of the little boys wear ties to work. I do think I've seen female baggers, but you're right, it's most often female cashiers and male baggers.
Hunh. I just heard many bad things about the DeMoulas (though my source hasn't given me a reason why). I admit I've only gone to our local one a few times, and am not at all familiar with the stores or their history.
Same here, and I have an actual real story that is too real to share, but I agree!
Hunh. I just heard many bad things about the DeMoulas (though my source hasn't given me a reason why). I admit I've only gone to our local one a few times, and am not at all familiar with the stores or their history.
Same here, and I have an actual real story that is too real to share, but I agree!
Absolutely, the story of this family over the past 60 years would make a good movie! The wiretapping, spying, stings, etc, are unbelievable. Some of the court cases made history.
But on a personal level, the family has always reached out to others. They've helped with employee's medical bills, provided time off for families during emergencies, etc. There are a million stories how Mike or Arty T helped someone in need.
The stores are definitely crowded and frustrating.... but sometimes it reminds me of the old days when everyone went to the market.