Today’s story challenges us to adjust to life’s changes.
Things change. We can’t stop time nor can we turn back the clock. Life changes—for everyone. When things change, our only option is to adjust to the changes. That’s what happened with Tony and his Italian Deli. A few weeks ago, Tony decided to make a drastic change to his Deli. Tony had started the Italian deli soon after immigrating to the United States from Italy. Almost everyone in the neighborhood was Italian, so for years, he had a steady stream of customers. In those days Tony couldn’t keep enough salami, pepperoni, or mozzarella in stock. People came from all over town to buy his specialty Italian foods, but not anymore. Through the years the neighborhood had changed. Years ago, his customers were named “Mario and Luisa”. Now they were “Jose and Angelica”.
Tony thought he would go out of business until he went to visit his friend Vinny. Vinny had an Italian deli in the next town. When Tony arrived at Vinny’s Deli, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Vinny’s Deli had a new sign that said: “International Grocery”.
“Ciao,” Tony said to Vinny as he entered the store.
“Hola!” Vinny said with a huge grin. “How do you like it?”
Tony looked around. Vinny had stocked his shelves with new products. Next to the cans and jars of imported Italian products were products made by Goya and La Victoria. The pasta and macaroni had been replaced by bags of rice, cornmeal, dried beans, and tortillas.
“Business is better than ever Tony. How’s your deli doing?”
Vinny’s question made Tony think. He didn’t want to lose his deli. It was his life.
Tony watched Vinny’s customers make substantial purchases. He realized that if he changed the kinds of products in his deli, he could have the same kind of success.
Tony asked his Latino and Asian customers what kind of products they would like. Over the next few weeks, he restocked his deli with products his new customers wanted. At first, a few of his long-time Italian customers complained. Tony, more than any of them, was unhappy with the changes. He longed for the old days when Tony and Luisa, Frankie and Gina were his regular customers. But Tony had to face reality. Today his customers were named Garcia or Gonzales, or they were Asians with names like Choi or Kim. Tony didn’t even know what some of the items on his shelves were, but he did know that business was better than ever.
Tony finished putting the case of hot sauce on the shelf and looked around at his newly stocked deli. He sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and folded the cardboard for recycling. “The old saying is true,” he thought to himself. “There’s nothing as permanent as change.”
I’m Steve Lorenz, and I’m just trying to keep up with the changes.
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