With another year in the bag, the store was spruced up with eight new frozen food cases that shine in the bright lights of the family-owned market. No matter how many years go by, Hennigan said there will always be something “extra” done each year to improve the store.
“It’s just like home, always something to do,” he said as he greeted a customer pushing a cart nearby.
Hennigan said the personal touches to customer service and attention to consumer needs is what sets Nichols apart from the “chain stores.”
“A chain can’t cater to its customers the way we do,” Hennigan said. “Our customers are amazed at the variety, and a lot of them say they can’t find certain products someplace else.”
In Hennigan’s experience, a chain doesn’t have the freedom to change prices as easily or react to produce recalls as smoothly. If there is a problem with a certain produce item, Hennigan said his store is capable of contacting producers to get a different that’s fresher and in better quality rather than settling for whatever is on its way to the store.
The storeowner also boasted the meat department of which he said does fresh cuts on the spot without ever using frozen beef, poultry or pork. Hennigan said anyone can look at “chain grocery store’s meat label” to find that it’s pumped with sodium and other similar based solutions so that in can keep a longer shelf life. Although, there is a longer shelf life, “customers are paying for water in each pound.”
“People recognize the quality and appreciate having something done special,” Hennigan said. “That’s what’s fun, having customers come in each day knowing they will get great service.”
In honor of the 50 years, the store has hosted extreme sales such as choosing one item in the store for particular days to be marked down to 50 cents.
And throughout those 50 years, Nichols has attracted customers from all over Central New York, that Hennigan’s grateful for the Web site nicholsliverpool.com, because it has kept distant customers up-to-date with specials or any changes.
“Those customers don’t get the Sunday flier,” Hennigan said.
The store currently has its windows painted in honor of the anniversary, but will soon change gears in December for the Christmas season.
“It’s quite an honor for people that have returned or are still working here for years,” Hennigan said. “It’s a privilege to work seven days a week at a place that offers customers good shopping experience.”
Nichols Market is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. You can call the store at 457-2151 and the meat department can be reached at 453-MEAT.
About the family business
For more than 90 years, the Hennigans and their employees have been a leading grocer for many consumers in Central New York. The family’s goal hasn’t changed since 1918 since they strive to present terrific quality, value and service with a sincere smile and a “thank you.”
In 1918, Mike Hennigan opened Hennigan’s Silver Star Market on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse at the corner of Tompkins Street and Burnet Park Drive. This busy intersection is where the traffic signal hangs with the green light over the red - a symbol of the strong Irish heritage in this neighborhood.
Mr. C.L. Nichols opened Nichols Market in the village of Liverpool approximately at the same time. Jim Hennigan, worked for his dad Mike on Tipperary Hill but realized that in order to provide for his young, growing family, the “Tipp Hill” store couldn’t support two families.
In 1959 Jim purchased Nichols Market from Mr. Nichols. Mr. Nichols enjoyed a great reputation in the Liverpool area and gave the new owner a strong foundation to build upon. This 2000-square-foot store has grown dramatically over the years- in the very spot Mr. Nichols began. Today we are a “sized right” super market offering shoppers from throughout Central New York the finest in fresh produce, meats, deli, in store bakery shop and an amazing variety of grocery products.
As stores continue to get larger, and some would say more impersonal, Nichols offers a refreshing alternative. A “card” is not required to get a value, hassle free values are here. Don’t confuse the size of a store with the size of the selection. The customers frequently compliment us on the wide variety of the national brands that Central New Yorkers prefer.
At the meat counter our almost 90 year reputation for freshness is still alive. The butchers still cut all our beef, pork, veal, lamb and poultry products. The sausage makers still stuff their sausages, and the fresh chicken is just that. It is not prepackaged or “deep chilled” and we do not add solution or sodium to the fresh meats to enhance appearance or extended shelf life.
