Parma: Workers the key to success in groundbreaking store

PARMA -- People who have disabilities have taken a remarkable step toward independence and success working at a store their organization now owns.

The cash register rings almost non-stop, and the employees of the new Just-A-Buck store in Parma work at the same busy pace getting ready for their Monday grand opening.

The 4,300 square foot store in the Midtown Shopping Center is the first to be owned by a non-profit organization for those who have disabilities.

Employees are clients of the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (CCBMR/DD). The Just-A-Buck store franchise was purchased by the Board's non-profit arm, S.A.W. Inc.

"I helped open this place up, yes," says employee Robert Weinbroer, who says he puts his all into making the new store a success.

"My ability, skills, my knowledge, and my thinking-wise. I love it."

Robert and other clients of the CCBMR/DD receive on-the-job training that will allow them to continue careers at Just-A-Buck, or move into other retail opportunities.

"That way they are taught how to work in a retail environment and they can go to any other retail store to actually get employment," says store manager Kim Pritchard, who opened the franchise April 27 with the help of many employees who have varying abilities and disabilities.

"It was nothing in here but empty fixtures, and everything you see is what they have done over the past two weeks," Pritchard proudly explains.

The idea of a special needs organization actually owning a franchise was a groundbreaking step and needed a willing partner. The Just-A-Buck company in New York was just the fit. Cleveland franchise expert Joel Libava helped put together the 10-year deal.

"I knew exactly what type of franchise would work for this," says Libava of Franchise Selection Specialists. "I just knew it because it requires a lot of employees, a lot of restocking, a lot of cleaning.

"The store is gorgeous and it has to stay that way."

Employees operate the store seven days a week. Many like Sara Schultz, 22, have already dedicated themselves to making the franchise a success.

"I saw my paycheck. It's really good. I like it," she smiled in between re-stocking the shelves on each side of the spotless aisles.

"I'm trying to save it up for Walt Disney World, because I want to go. I've never been there."

Manager Pritchard says everything has gone well since the "soft" opening two weeks ago.

"They're fantastic," she says of the employees. "They are proud of what they've done. They'll tell you what's the first thing they've worked on when they came in here."

Customers also seemed pleased. Some admit to having come back two or three times. "I even brought my husband," said one woman, who also enjoyed the friendly welcome and thank you each employee routinely offers shoppers.

Franchise expert Libava says while the concept of a retail franchise being owned by an organization for those who have disabilities is unique; he is convinced it can succeed based on what's happened so far.

He says the key is consistency. "Keeping this Just-A-Buck store spotless at all times," is one of the criteria. "Making sure that the shelves are stocked full at all times," is another.

And as important, he says, "Just a lot of smiles."