Publix Goes the Extra Mile to Find a Set of Keys

The worst feeling in the world happens when you realize you have lost your keys. I seem to lose my keys more often now that I am older. I take great pains now buying purses that have a special place for keys. I thought I was taking every precaution to keep my keys safe while shopping in Publix at City Plaza one day — until I realized my keys were no longer in my hands or purse.

A panic set in like no other. “Where did I see them last?” is what I kept asking myself. I seemed to recall that I had my keys in produce so a nice clerk walked me to produce. My keys were not located there even with all of the produce clerks joining in on the search. There was nothing else I felt I could do but to have my neighbor bring me my spare keys, leave my name and number at the service desk and hope for the best.

After putting away the groceries, my daughter called the store manager Rick Tucker to see if there was anything further we could do. To our surprise, Rick said there was. He asked what time I was in the store and what I was wearing. He said he would be more than happy to check the security tapes and would get back to us. About an hour later he called to say that security tapes showed me with my keys when I entered the store and in produce but I did not have my keys after that. I then remembered I had called my daughter while in produce to ask her if we had small potatoes and onions. Maybe I lost my keys on that display?

When Rick heard that he said he would go and take a better look. Within ten minutes an excited Rick called to say he found the keys! The keys slipped through the potatoes and were lodged between the display and the ground. He said he would keep my keys in his office, and I could pick them up the next time I was in.

I learned a lot about Publix's security system and their great customer service that day. So to Rick Tucker and all of the employees of Publix at City Plaza – GREAT JOB! It really turned out to be a pleasure!