Wirick Office Supplies was founded in 1908, and this month they celebrate their 100th aniversary of being in business. This is a huge accomplishment for any busniess, especially a small office supply shop. This business survived the Great Depression and many recessions throughout it's last 100 years of business, and things have gotten even tougher for Wirick with the growing number of "big box" retailers. Wirick had to do something to differenciate themselves from the big retailers, and they do it with customer service. "The main reason we're still here today is because of our service to the customer," said co-owner Steve Kosanic.
Wirick Office Supplies and Showroom is currently located in Grand Haven, MI, with most of their customer base coming from Ottowa and Muskegon counties. The store currently employs eight people and to this day is still family owned. Wirick has always prided themselves on being great at customer service and giving their customers exactly what they want and to this day they still go on outside sales calls. Steve Kosanic stressed how much their customers mean to them, becuase without meeting their customers needs and doing everything to make their customers happy, Wirick's would have been drove out of business a long time ago. "We research things for our customers. We may go to the same customer two or three times a week to satisfy their needs," said Kosanic.
This is just a true testimate of what customer service can do for all retailers, reguardless of their size. I think that anyone that is starting a small business really needs to put the customer first, becuase without the loyalty of the customer, you won't last long. Wirick's does a great job in customer service and should be looked at as a model for small businesses. Wirick's has been through a lot over the past 100 years, but I hope the next 100 is just as sucessful. Last weekend a celebration was held in downtown Grand Haven in honor of the companies century of service.
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