The Heart of Grocery: Our People
Last month was Women's History Month, and this month we celebrated Mother's Day. But at Luke's Local, we stand by moms, women leaders, and our values all year—not just during special occasions. So check out what Marisa, a mother of 2 boys and our HR manager, shares about Luke's Local staffing philosophy and what customers are really buying: not just groceries, but sustainable wages through value-based purchases that help our neighborhoods, communities, and staff thrive.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS THAT LAST
When you shop at Luke's, you're supporting a workplace where we're not here to move fast and break things—we're here to endure. Our team is built with care, just like the community we serve.
When I started as HR Manager, I created a streamlined process of making sure people feel that they're coming to a place that they want to work and be a part of. And so I try to make it personable and really understand what they're looking for when they come in here.
When I look across our four San Francisco locations and Commissary kitchen (the Fox Den), I don't just see employees stocking shelves or helping customers find that perfect local jam. I see the living embodiment of what makes Luke's Local special – people who genuinely care about food, community, and each other.
What draws me to candidates isn't fancy resumes or extensive retail backgrounds, but enthusiasm. Whether they're walk-ins, current customers, neighborhood residents, or people who've researched us, I'm always looking out for passion. That genuine interest tells me they're here for more than just a paycheck. Each week, people inquire about joining our team even without formal openings. I usually reach out to those candidates to see if they are interested in any holes we need to fill. Additionally, we make sure our current staff, including those who are working part-time, get the opportunity to increase their hours or cross-train.
GROWING WITH PURPOSE
When I took over hiring, I wanted to create an environment centered on growth. I want to provide others with the opportunity to learn about the grocery industry, whether they are looking to expand their skill sets or start from scratch. We partner with organizations like WorkforceLink SF and New Door Ventures to help transition-age youth gain valuable experience, knowing most of our staff are eager to develop in their roles.
I'm way more empathetic now that I'm a mom... We have employees who are also parents and I'm really just trying to show them like we can do it all, we can do both. So, I think being a mom has shifted me to really just be more present. This compassion guides how we, and how I specifically, support our team every day.
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Also in Luke's Local Blog
Cooking for Chosen Family: Why the Fox Den's Thanksgiving Tastes Like Love
Here's what most people don't realize about cooking for hundreds of families: you start planning the moment you know it matters. And Thanksgiving always matters.
While you were still recovering from New Year's Eve, I was already thinking about your Thanksgiving table. Our Luke’s Local turkey orders are sent to the farmers in January. Yes, that’s how far in advance we start.
Four Blocks from Paradise
This August, Dead & Company are playing Golden Gate Park, four blocks from our Inner Sunset store on 9th Avenue.
The same music that shaped my understanding of joy, community, and what it means to be present will be echoing through the neighborhood where we've built our newest store. The same songs I learned on my brothers' bedroom floor, the same recordings I obsessed over as a teenager, the same tape that was playing when Charlie and I took our first ride in the Tacoma. Everything comes full circle in the place where we're trying to prove that grocery stores can still be neighborhood cornerstones.
Why My Truck Only Plays Tapes
The tape wall in our 9th Avenue store exists because we've been struggling to find the right balance of structure and freedom with our music selection. We never wanted one set playlist, but with four stores, having no guidelines turned what should be an enjoyable part of the job into a source of conflict. Who gets to choose? What happens when someone complains?
The answer came from an unexpected place: a recent purchase of a 2004 Tacoma with the original tape deck still working.
