I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC (God’s country.) One of the reasons I remain connected to Chapel Hill has nothing to do with the university.  It is an incredible store located in Chapel Hill called A Southern Season.  The store has an amazing atmosphere and features delicacies from candy to cookies to cheese, wine, and chutney.  Everything they sell is unique, often has a humorous angle to it, and is always of the highest quality.  It is the kind of place where I would happily sweep the floors just to get a discount on the 46 ounce tin of Cinnamon-Butter Almonds.  

Since I now reside on the West Coast, it is a special treat for me to be able to share southern treats like “Carolina Cheddar Cheese Straws”, Crooks Grits, or country ham with the uninitiated.  But what is more important for me is the faith I have in this company to illustrate what southern hospitality is all about.  Every person you deal with at this company makes them look good.  The phone staff that handles orders is efficient, cheerful and exceedingly knowledgeable.  The online ordering system is a breeze.  The one time I had a problem with a recipient getting a broken bottle of wine, it was replaced immediately.  Excellent quality, unique products, and a well run operation combine to make this one of my favorite shopping experiences.  

But there’s more.  Last night I returned from a trip to Toronto to find a box from A Southern Season sitting on my desk.  Inside was a leather box filled with candy and a note thanking me for being “an exceptional customer.”  The note further reminded me of the approaching holidays  (bummer, I’m already late on my holiday shopping.) It also included a list of the people who had received gifts from me last year so I could easily re-order.

Even if I wanted to stop sending the delectable treats to my friends and relatives, they would not allow it.  It’s true.  Sadly, the Chocolate Covered Cherries and Chocolate Cordials from A Southern Season are now as much a part of our family tradition as the cheese grits soufflé, and are more prized at the dinner table than my husband.  

I know I’m not really an exceptional customer, but it sure was nice to receive an unexpected gift on an ordinary day and feel for just a minute or two that I was special.  

Wouldn’t it be great if every business could provide that same kind of feeling for their customers?

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