Stroll into the Walmart in Amherstburg, Ont., and you will be greeted with some mixture of “Hello, morning, how are ya, the way you doing in the present day?”
In return, you are certain to listen to a smattering of consumers provide up a “Hello Steve,” or “Have a very good one, Steve.”
It is Steve Taylor, the Walmart greeter who has been a fixture by the entrance door of the division retailer because it opened almost 17 years in the past.
“I’ve gotten to know lots of people since I have been right here,” Taylor mentioned. “It is a fantastic job.”
LISTEN: Walmart greeter a staple of Amherstburg — and TikTok
Windsor Morning5:13Walmart greeter a staple of Amherstburg and Tik Tok
Meet Steve Taylor, the Walmart greeter from Amherstburg who has been making waves on Tik Tok.
Taylor retired from a protracted profession as a Ford Motor Firm autoworker. He says he “sat at residence for a few years,” and did some safety work — earlier than he noticed the advert for jobs at a soon-to-open Walmart in his hometown.
“The remaining is historical past,” he mentioned. “I find it irresistible. It is the individuals. It is like one other household and every thing.”
Taylor greets prospects as they enter and exit the shop, and likewise helps maintain the world clear and alluring for individuals.
A have a look at Taylor’s brilliant yellow vest will present a handful of star pins — these, he says, he acquired after optimistic buyer or coworker suggestions. There are a lot there — however Taylor says he isn’t counting.
“I am simply glad to get one. It exhibits that possibly individuals respect what I am doing, so I like that,” he mentioned.
Jeff Pascoe is the shop supervisor and has identified Taylor for about 9 years.
“He is actually the face of our retailer,” he mentioned, noting that Taylor was awarded the “Shining Star” of the 12 months final 12 months.
Extra just lately, Taylor has gained social media stardom. Featured in movies for the shop, a couple of of the clips have racked up hundreds of likes and views on Fb and TikTok.
In a single, Taylor tells the digicam to “get your individual,” when requested to share some Walmart retailer model chocolate fudge cookies. In one other, he tells his “Amherstburg associates” concerning the retailer’s new hours.
“It is simply a number of enjoyable, and I do not actually know till I see them myself,” Taylor mentioned, including that generally individuals acknowledge him from the movies. “We simply did one yesterday, and it is gone over actually, actually large. I am fairly joyful about it.”
Lynore Brian is the supervisor behind the movies. When requested how she comes up with the concepts, she says, “I watch a number of TikToks.”
“It is simply enjoyable. I’ve identified Steve for so long as I have been right here, and we’ve a lot enjoyable.”
Taylor has just lately discovered a little bit of social media stardom with movies attracting tens and hundreds of views on social media platforms. (Michael Evans/CBC)
Taylor says he is grown to know a lot of his common prospects, and would not see himself slowing down.
“I would prefer to maintain myself going as a result of I am getting a little bit older and I prefer to maintain myself shifting,” he mentioned. “That is why I do it, as a result of I do not need to simply keep residence.
“I prefer to be round individuals. I take pleasure in seeing individuals are available in, and I’ve seen individuals have kids and produce up their households, and now they name me Steve right here. It is only a good expertise.”
