Lucy Greer Cheriogotis: Corporate Spokesperson and Operations, Greer’s Markets

Balancing business, family and more as part of a fifth-generation grocery legacy.

by Angie C. Baldwin
introduction by Lindsay Mott Fletcher

Growing up, it seemed Lucy Greer Cheriogotis’ life revolved around a few main things: family, cooking and creating recipes, and the grocery store business. Founded in 1916 by Autry Greer, Greer’s grocery stores are still owned and operated by the Greer family, and Lucy is part of the fifth generation of family members still involved in seeing the business succeed and grow until the next generation is old enough to do the same.

With business administration and culinary degrees, Lucy always planned to work for the family business. With 15 years and counting at Greer’s as the Corporate Spokesperson, Deli/Bakery/Catering Operations, cooking on local TV segments, Lucy is now also overseeing overall Operations/IT/Accounting/Store Design. She’s also published a cookbook titled Lucy Cooks with more than 150 recipes that include both fresh ideas and old favorites. With all this on her plate, Lucy (LGC) took time to talk with your author (AB) about all of this and more.

AB: What’s it like growing up in and now working for a family business? 

LGC: Growing up, I thought all businesses were family businesses and not somewhat rare. It is normal for me, and sometimes I take for granted how special it really is, especially a business in its 109th year that has remained family owned and operated.

AB: What aspects of it do you like? What aspects of it do you find challenging? And, why? 

LGC: Working with people is always a challenge, and when people are family, there are no less challenges. It is fun to watch each person utilize their skill set since we all have different strengths and weaknesses. After around 15 years as an adult in the business, I have recognized that getting along in a family business is very rewarding.

AB: How many other family members work at Greer’s currently? 

LGC: Seven. Robert Greer, Jackie Greer, Jan Greer Endfinger (fourth generation); myself, Gray Fobes, Les Buerger and Sara Greer (fifth generation).

AB: When did you begin working at Greer’s and in what capacity?

LGC: I started at 9 years old as a cashier standing on a milk crate.

AB: What is your current position in the company? 

LGC: I’m our corporate spokesperson and manage Operations, IT, Accounting and Store Design. You wear a lot of hats in a family business.

AB: Can you give us some insight into your day-to-day work at Greer’s?

LGC: You never know where I will pop up. I may be at the office working on improvements, efficiency and new programs with the IT and Accounting teams. I may be outside behind a store looking at how we can expand for our customers. I may be meeting with a district manager on store results and where we need to focus. I may be cooking on TV or recording a radio interview. I may be sketching new interior signage plans for a store remodel. I may be in a store implementing new grocery bagging training. Whatever I am doing, I am trying my best to improve things for our customers and team.

AB: What is/are your favorite aspects of your job these days? 

LGC: My favorite aspect of the job has always been and will always be meeting happy customers.

AB: What keeps you motivated and/or excited at work? 

LGC: When 800 team members and their families plus hundreds of thousands of customers depend on you, it is easy to stay motivated.

AB: How do you motivate those you work alongside and manage at Greer’s? 

LGC: We are motivated by our Team Vision: “To bring added joy, well-being and value to people’s lives!” and our Team Mission: “Enthusiastically continue to improve our Team, Customer Service, Values, Community Involvement and Performance!” Along with these two statements, we encourage our team to live by God first, then family, then Greer’s.

“When 800 team members and their families
plus hundreds of thousands of customers depend on you, it is easy to
stay motivated.”

– Lucy Greer Cheriogotis

AB: What does Greer’s offer – family-owned or otherwise – that other grocery stores don’t, considering the slogan, “Greer’s got it. We guarantee it.”

LGC: Our five strategic points of difference are to be a Great Place to Work, Friendliest, Community Connected, Price Competitive and Fresh Focused.

AB: Greer’s is synonymous with Mobile and Baldwin counties. What is the company’s interaction with the community, whether it be through charity, events or other endeavors? 

LGC: Most people do not know that we operate in communities across Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. We own 29 grocery stores, four Ace Hardware stores, three fuel stations and four liquor stores across the Gulf Coast. Our store teams are deeply rooted in each community we serve and support a multitude of efforts.

Apples for the Students is our largest community program that reaches schools in all 29 communities we serve. The schools simply shop at Greer’s, collect receipts and receive credits to purchase whatever they need for their school. Over 17 years, we have given more than $1 million in free educational equipment and supplies to participating schools.

AB: How long did you work on your cookbook, Lucy Cooks (from conception to publication)? Did you enjoy this process? If so, what was enjoyable to you about it? 

LGC: My sister, Betsy, and I worked on the cookbook for around two years. The process was daunting at first, but we worked together to figure it out and ultimately ended up loving the process. The most enjoyable part was talking to my sister every day!

AB: How does it feel to have published it? What has the reception been like?

LGC: The reception of the cookbook has been so warm and kind. People constantly tell me they sat down with the book and read it cover to cover. Each recipe has an anecdote or story and is full of family photos. Uncle Henry, iHeart Radio personality and friend, tells me it reads like a memoir, which I did not intend!

AB: What’s your favorite all-time recipe of yours and why?

LGC: Shrimp Creole is one of my favorite all-time recipes for a few reasons. It is a recipe my grandfather, Papa, and I developed over the years. Shrimp is one of my favorite foods; the colors are vibrant, and it tastes terrific.

AB: What are the odds that you’ll work on another cookbook? 

LGC: The odds of a children’s book are much higher than another cookbook. I have two children’s books in the works currently. I am not sure if I will write another cookbook, but if I do – I already have the idea for it!

AB: What’s new or upcoming at Greer’s that we can look forward to experiencing?
LGC: We continue to re-invest in our current locations with remodels and expansions. The Greer’s in Fairhope will receive an overall upgrade, and Baldwin County will be getting a new Greer’s, too.

AB: What are you most proud of when it comes to your career thus far? 

LGC: The positive and personal connection I have had the opportunity to make with our customers, communities and fellow team members.

AB: Your husband, Spiro Cheriogotis, is currently running for Mayor of Mobile. What has this experience been like for you and your family? 

LGC: The experience is a lot of things but mostly humbling. The amount of prayerful support and encouragement we receive daily from those around us, as well as strangers, is what fuels us. Spiro and I are honored by the opportunity to look forward to what’s next for (and ultimately serve the citizens of) the City of Mobile.

AB: What are some of the ways you’ve found to achieve/maintain the challenging goal of work/life balance? 

LGC: It is a continuous challenge to achieve any sense of work/life balance, but I find more peace when I devote my attention to the present environment I’m in at that time. “When you’re in the room, be in the room,” is one of my favorite quotes from an Auburn University professor, Mr. Pennick.

AB: When you do have downtime, alone or with your family, how do you like to spend it? 

LGC: We like to spend time with friends, decompress and relax at home, travel and be with family at my parents’ house on Solider Creek, off Perdido Bay.

AB: What advice do you have for young women just starting their business careers? 

LGC: Don’t take yourself too seriously, be helpful, be kind and stay out of office (or grocery store!) drama.

AB: What are some professional goals you still hold? 

LGC: Transitioning an even stronger company to the sixth generation one day.