Mama Duck
Lovely Rita...our Mama Duck
I have been thinking a lot about the success of Duck Soup and the overall history of the Duck as we have been creating this site for you. And every time I go through a stack of old photos or leaf through the hundreds of newspaper articles written about us over the years, I invariably run across a smiling photo of Rita Sorrenti.
If I am the Head Duck, then Rita is the Mama Duck.
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That's Mama Duck with Richard |
Our core merchandising philosophy and our entire approach to customer service was built around Rita. Rita called the shots in these areas...even if she denies it when you mention it! Trust me, she will. She is oh so modest...but it is her deft touch that defined the Duck.
If you know Rita, you already know how lucky you are. You have benefited from her knowledge and caring...heard a few of her wonderful stories. If you have never had the chance to spend time with her, well, you have really missed something.
In 1970, Rita was working for the Sudbury Citizen (then the town newspaper), which happened to be directly overhead where we were building-out Duck Soup. I am sure we were making quite a racket pounding away and trying to talk to each other over the noise, because one day Rita came downstairs to see what all the fuss was about. Here were these young men pounding and sawing away, and she wanted know what the hell was going on.
A short time later she brought us a good luck cake and before we could hardly turn around, she quit her job at the newspaper and came to work with us. Why? As Rita tells it, she just wanted to have some fun...and food, great food, was something she had a Sicilian passion about.
And what fun we had.
As we began to branch out into our specialty foods (read: ethnic) Rita lead the parade. She got a kick out of what we were all getting excited about. After all, these pastas, olives, sundried tomatoes, pestos, oils and cheeses were a part of her everyday upbringing. Nothing fancy about them to her. Just high quality flavorful foods. But she knew them intimately and taught us so very much about their origin and usage. She proved herself to be indispensable. I do laugh, though, the first time she saw a wheel of Brie. Being that it was a "foreign" French cheese, she was definitely put off by the odor and the rind...but soon melted and swooned upon first bite.
For 25 years Rita ran the shop. If you needed something, you saw Rita. If you had a question, you asked Rita. If you were a salesperson looking to place a new product, you were smart if you saw Rita. If something didn't have Rita's blessing on it, it was a goner. That was true for people, too, though you would be hard pressed to find a more loyal, trusting and loving person anywhere. Rita was a great judge of character and quality...her thumbs up meant everything.
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Rita never missed a holiday opportunity... |
Mama Duck trained and feathered many of the Ducksoupians who grew up here while working on the floor. Rita's caring attention and dispensing of "old world" philosophy were like a big hug. And Rita made sure that no one had a birthday go unrecognized. She made sure that everyone at Duck Soup was part of the family. When I think of how many birthdays have been celebrated at the Duck, I remember one time my birthday cake was hidden in the bathroom, uh...I think I should save that one for another time.
Now I keep saying "was" in reference to Rita. Yep. Rita retired nearly two years ago. We knew it was coming, tried hard to ignore that fact...but truth is that she decided to fully enjoy her and husband Tony's retirement years together. Of course it was with our good wishes and blessings, but what a sad day in the annals of the Duck that was.
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Party Time! Rita and Linda get
ready |
We count our years with Rita as wonderful additions to our lives. While we wish she would come out of retirement to help us put the New Duck together, we are deeply thankful for what she gave us...and what she gave you, the customer.
There is nothing quite as welcoming and embracing as Rita smiling at you over the counter with an outstretched hand, "Here, try some of this. It is r-e-a-l-l-y fantastic". Who could resist?
And that is what defined us, how we do what we do. Look around the store and you will see Rita everywhere. Her touches on store layout, product positioning, signage...the whole works...are all a part of Rita's brainchildren.
The Mama Duck will always have a place in our hearts, and hopefully yours as well.
We are so appreciative of what Rita has given to us that this page, "Mama Duck" will be devoted to Rita's pearls of wisdom...recommendations...and recipes. Come back often, as this one will be fun. Mama Duck says, "Get the ravioli off of my bed".
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Perhaps we should have a 'name
that caption' contest. |
