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There’s a brand-new shop in Young AmeriTowne in Lakewood: the Safeway Market! This mini-Safeway provides a real-world lesson in what it takes to operate a grocery store to fifth grade students from across the metro area.
Todd Broderick, Denver Division President of Safeway, talks with McGraw Elementary students working in the Young AmeriTowne Safeway Market.
The Safeway Market debuted on Wednesday, March 27 when students from McGraw Elementary school ran AmeriTowne. McGraw students joined Todd Broderick, Denver Division President of Safeway, Mayor Adam Paul of Lakewood and Rich Martinez, President and CEO of Young Americans Center for Financial Education to cut the ribbon officially opening the shop for business. Mr. Broderick also presented Mayor Paul a key to this new learning space.
Throughout their day, McGraw students enjoyed an amazing shop that includes a produce section, shopping bags, organic treats and life-like wall graphics all thanks to the Safeway Foundation. It looks just like a miniature Safeway. Ten-year-old Cashier Faith stood at the cash register and helped customers check out. “I really wanted to be a Cashier today,” she said. “I thought it would be a really fun job, and so far, I was right!” Manager Samuel pointed to the shop’s business goals on a bulletin board, which included: “5. Make a good profit and 6. Make customers want to come back.” Samuel explained, “These two goals are really connected, because if customers want to come back and shop a second time, we’ll make more money.”
For Mr. Broderick, who started work with Safeway 38 years ago as a cashier, supporting Young Americans Center and the Young AmeriTowne program aligns perfectly with Safeway’s initiatives. “We want to make every day better for the communities we serve, and we want to be a part of those communities,” noted Broderick. “Through the Safeway Market, we’re providing 39,000 young people a chance to deliver customer service, to sell fresh, quality products and to practice accountability at a young age. We’re just so excited to be involved.”
