NEWTON, N.J. -- As he has done for the past 39 consecutive years, QuickChek Corp. senior vice president Mike Murphy worked Christmas Day, this time at the chain's convenience store in Newton, N.J., reported The Hunterdon County Democrat.
"If I'm going to have people work that day, then I've always felt I should be there, too," Murphy, who is based out of the convenience store chain's support center in Whitehouse Station, N.J., told the newspaper. "I work in different stores every year, doing what I can to help out."
Murphy worked in the Newton store from 6:00 a.m. to noon on December 25.
He said that the first thing consumers want Christmas morning is their morning coffee, followed by the need for more batteries. Over the past few years he has seen an increase in the sales of cakes and QuickChek's freshly made breakfast sandwiches to go.
"We have customers who come into stores in their pajamas, which in a way is fitting as we've been their neighborhood shopping destination all year long," said Murphy.
Among other convenience items that customers come to QuickChek for that they may not be able to get elsewhere on Christmas Day is gas, a must for those who need to fill up during their holiday travels.
Most QuickChek convenience stores are open Christmas Eve from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and then Christmas Day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Nine locations that serve fuel stay open 24 hours. Most of the company's team members' shifts are limited to four hours on Christmas with additional pay--except for the guy serving coffee in the morning in Newton.
"My sons Matt and Mike are store leaders and they fight to see whose store I'll be working in because I'm free help for the day," said Murphy with a smile, noting that Mike won out this year.
QuickChek operates 139 locations throughout New Jersey, New York's Hudson Valley and Long Island, including 11 pharmacy stores and 47 locations with fuel.
Click here to view the full Hunterdon County Democrat report.
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