GILROY
– Much like a luau, Nob Hill’s Bag Olympics company championship
was all about having a good time.
GILROY – Much like a luau, Nob Hill’s Bag Olympics company championship was all about having a good time.
Courtesy clerks from the 26 Nob Hill stores competed in the sixth annual event – complete with an Hawaiian theme – for an opportunity to represent the company at a statewide bag-off competition in Las Vegas this November.
The crowd, dressed in Hawaiian apparel, cheered on their baggers, as a disc jockey blasted oldies tunes.
Nerves ran high, but the baggers still grinned with excitement. Three baggers competed during each round, surrounded by cheers, applause and the music.
A couple dozen items from bread to cereal to salsa to Q-tips were arranged in precise locations on the counter. Baggers had to be extremely meticulous about their arrangement in order to fit them in the suggested three paper bags. Training Specialist Bill Miller reminded everyone to wrap the soap in a plastic bag, stand all the boxes upright, avoid placing glass items next to each other and try and keep the bags square shaped. Even the judges encouraged them to “focus” and “keep going.”
Although they appreciated the support, most baggers told Doug Shorey, senior training manager, the most difficult part was the crowd.
“It’s all the people; it’s scary and intimidating,” said Ricky Gonzalez, courtesy clerk with the Gilroy store.
During the last round, Gilroy Store Manager Vito Mercado bagged beside the last two participants.
“Everyone has a good time. It brings everyone together. People come from as far as Napa and San Ramon. We just have fun competing against each other,” Mercado said after bagging his items in just 37 seconds. He has worked for the company for 25 years.
Tim Palmer of Livermore was announced winner for North District and Andrea Sanchez of Morgan Hill winner for the South District.
After their final head-to-head round, Palmer was announced the 2003 champion, winning $250. He will take the trophy home to the Livermore store until next year.
“I knew it was over from the beginning,” he said.
His district manager added, “It’s all about confidence.”
Scores are based on a point system for speed, number of bags used, even distribution of weight between the bags, item arrangement and dress code. Points were deducted for any mistakes, including a failure to check the egg carton for any broken shells.
“We want to recognize our courtesy clerks, but this is also a training session. We want to be efficient,” Miller said.
Palmer trained for at least two hours a day. His routine will continue until the state championship.
After the competition, Nob Hill treated the participants and store managers to lunch at Chevy’s.
“We’re going to eat chips and salsa and have a great time,” Shorey said.
