Disaster tests any company. But for Pro’s Ranch Market, a fire that engulfed its store on Central Avenue and Southern ranks as one of the company’s defining moments.
Weeks have passed since flames destroyed part of PHX 1 on Mar.20, forcing the store to close indefinitely and causing thousands of dollars in collateral damage.
“Property can be replaced,” said Mike Provenzano, Sr., president and CEO. “It was our store employees we were most concerned about.”
“The right thing to do was to take care of each and every one of them so their families weren’t adversely affected by what happened,” he said.
Pro’s Ranch Markets compensated store employees for the hours they lost due to the fire and immediately reassigned 100 percent of them to five other store locations in metro Phoenix – ensuring that hundreds of employees didn’t miss a paycheck.
Knowing that some employees had difficulty with transportation to more distant stores, the company also provided free bus passes to team members. The team also worked diligently to return all personal belongings to those who were inside the store after the blaze.
“It’s been wonderful to see the warm welcome that transplant employees have received at each of the stores,” said Tina Huff, executive director of Human Resources.
“Some receiving stores have gone as far as to organize welcome parties, or have signed special cards welcoming employees their store,” she said. “’Mi casa es su casa’ is a theme we hear often.”
Company representatives are very thankful that everyone is safe, including customers, employees and firefighters. The company credits the Phoenix Fire Department for ensuring everyone’s safety.
Pro’s Ranch Market continues to serve the community and encourages shoppers to visit us at any of our other store locations across the valley.
Stay tuned for more details on the re-opening of our store on Central Avenue and Southern. From day one, store employees will be able to provide customers with the same superior service they’ve come to expect from Pro’s Ranch Markets!
