At Monday's grand reopening event were: UPS Store owner Anthony Wingfield (third from left, pictured with his wife Stephanie and daughter Amaya); Jerry Caliguiri from Councilmember James Johnson's office; and John Howard from Chick-fil-A of Long Beach Towne Center.By Vivian Malauulu
Contributing Writer
Anthony Wingfield, owner of the UPS Store at the Bixby Plaza, attributes the success of his business to good, old-fashioned customer service. On Monday, he celebrated the grand opening of his newest store, after operating from his former location for eight years. The significant growth of that first store, in spite of an unstable economy, prompted him to lease a larger space just two doors down.
The grand re-opening gala, held right in the center’s parking lot, ran from 3pm to 7pm and included performances by the Grace Christian School Advanced Band and local musician Michelle Mangione, who says she is a loyal customer of the UPS Store. Jerry Caligiuri, a representative from Seventh District James Johnson’s Office, conducted a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the UPS Store gave guests water bottles and other items bearing the store’s logo in show of their appreciation.
The Grace Christian School Advanced Band provides musical entertainment for the UPS Store's re-opening event.The new store’s larger space has allowed for an expansion of products and services such as more mailboxes and advanced copying and printing services. “We have been blessed with a very loyal customer base,” said Wingfield. “Many of our customers stop by just to say ‘hello,’ even if they don’t need anything, because they tell me it feels good in the new store and they feel welcome. I look forward to many more years of continuing to serve this great neighborhood and its wonderful residents.” Wingfield shared the secret to his business: greeting customers with a smile and calling them by name.
