Shine from the terrazzo floor lit the front speedway. The aroma of fresh-cut fruit, sizzling hot dogs and straight-from-the-oven cookies filled the air. Excitement from associates’ and customers’ faces sparkled like fireworks. It was a long-awaited new beginning, and they were ready to be there.

The evening before #1429, Miami, officially opened, I attended an unforgettable family night. Although the store team expected about 200 attendees, they warmly welcomed more than 400 associates, family members and guests to celebrate the 1,100th store in our Publix family.

Customer Service Technical Coordinator Danielle Fogel warmed the crowd in true Mr. George fashion by sharing her delight in the beauty of the store and the hard work put in by all. Then, the store management team and their families were introduced on a stage built in front of the bakery. Their pictures were taken and each manager had a few minutes to inspire associates to be there for each customer and each other. Erupting pride was felt by everyone in the room.

Store Manager Carlos Cruz truly moved the entire crowd with his resonating words.

“Tonight, I feel proud, privileged and humbled to be opening this store with my amazing team,” said Carlos. “Four hours ago, this was just a grocery store. But when you walked through the door, it became a Publix.”

Miami Division Vice President Kevin Murphy spoke about Mr. George and why hosting family night is an important part of being there for our associates.

“He did it to place the ownership of the store with the management team, so they’d take care of it like their own,” said Kevin. “And, it was important to Mr. George that our veteran associates pass the Publix culture of ownership on to our new associates.”

Between the significance of Mr. George’s lesson to be there and our leaders’ heartfelt speeches, I still have goose bumps. I too felt proud, privileged and humbled — proud to be an associate of this incredible company, privileged to have attended such a wonderful event and humbled by the hardworking Publix associates who made this evening and the grand opening such a great success.