Mark Carver was Manager of Copy Services at the Staples in Chestnut Hill for nine years. On January 21, his position was eliminated. It was the day after he turned 56.
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Mark Carver was Manager of Copy Services at the Staples in Chestnut Hill for nine years. On January 21, his position was eliminated. It was the day after he turned 56.
Staples eliminated the position at 46 stores, as part of a budgetary restructuring. (The manager position only existed in stores where the Print department handled $750,000 or more in annual sales.)
What came next was a surprise to Mark. Hundreds of customers went online at social sites such as NextDoor to post about their appreciation of Mark, and to wish him well.
“A person of his character and professionalism will be an asset to any business,” wrote one. “Mark, you were the Manager Super and Utmost.” More than 200 comments were posted, plus e-mails to the Chestnut Hill Local.
“I was there nine years, I know I built a lot of really good relationships with people, but the outpouring of love has been overwhelming,” carver said. “I didn’t really realize, with all the customers I’ve dealt with, how much a difference I’d made for them. Some of the comments I’ve seen…” He paused, searching for the right words. “I was so taken aback by how many people I touched.”
He started with Staples 11 years ago and transferred to Chestnut Hill in April 2013. Previously he’d run a commercial printing company in Glenside. He’s looking for a new position, aware the current conditions make that harder than usual. “
It’s okay,” he said confidently. “It gives me a chance to reinvent myself.”
He’s proud of the staff he assembled in the print department. “The staff in my store were fantastic,” he said. “The only thing I ask is that everybody still supports the store.”
Though he looks forward to starting over, he has no hard feelings. “I met a lot of really nice people, a lot of nice businesses,” he said. “I knew everybody who walked in the door, and they would know me.” Right now he’s staying close to his home in Abington.
“Chestnut Hill is such a tight-knit community, which I absolutely love. I have nothing but good things to say about every person I’ve met through the Chestnut Hill area.”