Arlington Heights Resident Earns Red Carpet Service Award

Arlington Heights resident, and ten-year Jewel food store employee Seth Goldberg was recently highlighted for the exceptional customer service he provides as an employee of the major grocer.

Goldberg, who has been in a wheelchair since he was a young boy, started working as a bagger and was promoted to checker in 2006.  

He got a big surprise on Tuesday, June 11.

“I got a phone call asking that I speak to a group of people about providing strong customer service. Little did I know that I was going to get the Red Carpet Service Award from Jewel!” Goldberg said. “I was given a plaque and a gift certificate in front of more than 170 employees, including William Emmons, the president of the company.”

 The young man suffers from one of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) supported diseases, and has about 5 percent of his hearing in his right ear, and cannot hear at all out of his left ear. 

But that hasn’t stopped him from being promoted at the company, and becoming one of the mot popular checkers at the Arlington Heights store.

“Jewel made me a pin that says customers must make eye contact with me at all times, so I can read their lips,” Goldberg said. “I notice that kids who like to visit with me get very upset when their parents go into other lines.”

Goldberg added that the many customers he has gotten to know over the last decade will wait in his line, even when it is long, so they are able to say hello and visit with him. 

The key to customer service for him, is simple.

“I just treat people the way I want to be treated. I do whatever I can, to make the customers happy,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg added that he feels very lucky to be employed by Jewel.

“Jewel has always believed in me, and I think the company is a huge asset for people with disabilities,” Goldberg said.

It appears that Goldberg is surely an asset to the company, as well.

His next big event will be when he signs for those with hearing disabilities at the Josh Groban concert when he performs at Ravinia on August 10. He will do the same for a performance by Pete Yarrow in Crystal Lake in the coming months, as he has done for the Peter, Paul and Mary singer for the last 12 years.