‘I talk to them’: David Inferrera’s 35-year chat with Concordians
“He does more for the quality of life here in Acton than anybody I can think of.”
A pair of bright blue sneakers peeked out beneath David Inferrera’s chair outside Crosby’s Marketplace.
The shoes — matching the blue of his Crosby’s uniform shirt — were a gift from a summer celebration at which co-workers, family members, and friends gathered to honor his 35 years at the Acton grocery store.
Weeks later, Inferrera was still talking about it.
“It was great. I loved it,” he said.
As he spoke, customers streamed through the parking lot. A few had barely made it through the front doors before Inferrera spotted them. After three-and-a-half decades at Crosby’s, recognizing people has become second nature.
“I got a lot of favorite customers,” he said.
That familiarity runs both ways. Over the years, Inferrera has become a well-known face across town. In addition to his work at Crosby’s, he volunteers with the Acton-Carlisle High School football program and helps at a local antique store, Belle on Heels.
Inferrera also receives employment support services from Minute Man Arc, a local non-profit focused on people with disabilities, and he is on its board.
For many Acton residents, a trip to Crosby’s means seeing Inferrera. He bags groceries, collects carts, empties bottles and cans, cleans, stocks, and helps wherever he is needed.
“He always asks about my kids. He asks about my husband,” said Acton resident Debbie Osofsky, who has shopped at Crosby’s for years. “He tells me about the coaching he’s doing at CCHS.”
Asked how he connects with customers, Inferrera shrugged.
“I talk to them,” he said. “I tell them they’re gorgeous and they’re wonderful.”
Another shopper, Clint Conley, sees those interactions every time he visits the store.
“What a delight that fellow is,” Conley said. “He does more for the quality of life here in Acton than anybody I can think of. He always greets you with a smile.”
The same reputation follows Inferrera beyond the grocery store.
He has volunteered with the Acton-Carlisle High School football program since 2016, helping coaches and players during practices and games as their “Game Day Specialist.”
CCHS sophomore Parker Bayes, who plays football for the Patriots and works with Inferrera at Crosby’s, has also known him as a neighbor for most of his life.
“Whenever I’m having a bad day and I get the chance to talk with him, it just always makes it better,” Bayes said. “He’s talkative, nice to everyone. Everyone just loves to see him.”
‘Take the chance’
Rob Ferragamo, assistant director of employment services at Minute Man Arc, said Crosby’s did what many places are unwilling to do.
“Take the chance to hire someone with a disability,” Ferragamo urged. “They’re going to be reliable. They’re going to be here. They’re going to bring energy.”
He said one of Inferrera’s biggest contributions is showing what is possible.
“David’s a model of everything that we work for,” Ferragamo said. “Someone that has 35 years of experience under their belt. Someone that’s independent.”
Crosby’s manager John Cummings has worked alongside Inferrera for all of those 35 years. “Dave’s awesome,” he said. “It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re with him.”
Occasionally “we have to remind him, ‘Don’t forget about this,’ or that type of thing. But that is true of any employee,” Cummings said. “I would deal with his hiccups over a lot of other employees.”
Inferrera is “good for us,” he said. “He’s good for the customers. He’s good for the morale of the store.”
‘The greatest thing’
For Inferrera, the job is about the people.
“I like the store,” he said. “I like customers. Customers are the greatest thing. They call me ‘honey,’ they call me whatever, because I am lovable.”
He said his favorite part of the day is seeing the people he’s come to know.
Cummings said he hopes Inferrera remains a part of the store for years to come. “We hope he’s here as long as he can do it,” Cummings said. “He’ll always be welcome here.”
With the way Inferrera “welcomes people, the way he is committed to this community, the way he has built such strong roots here,” Osofsky said, “he definitely deserved a celebration.”
