If you were wondering about what's going on at the Gristede's at 54th St. and 8th Ave, you're in luck.

This is Leo. He is the store manager.

This is Gus. He works at the deli counter. He moved to NYC in 1981, and has been transferred 5 times during his Gristedes career.

Gus says:

To be honest with you, I don't like this Grestede's very much. Nobody smiles. Whenever you ask a question, they yell at you: "What's a matter? You've been working in the company for years." Well guess what? Every Gristedes does things differently. Take this soup station. (Gus gesutures to a waist high counter bearing two unlabeled steel cylinders.) Look at it. Did you know it was here? (I didn't). Nope. It's hidden behind the Red Bull display. And then they're surprised when they've got all this soup left over at the end of the day. People tell me: Gus, they don't want to hear your suggestions, just keep quiet and do your job. I say: teach me. I want to learn. Don't yell at me just because I ask a question.

There's more to managing a store than keeping your paperwork straight, Leo. You've got to be a leader.