Artie T. gets his day in the Revere sun

REVERE – It was a year later than expected, and concerns grew amid board and family wrangling, workers striking and customers boycotting.But city and business officials cut the ribbon at Market Basket’s long-awaited Revere store on Thursday and celebrated what Mayor Daniel Rizzo officially proclaimed Arthur T. Demoulas Day.”Do the kids get a day off from school?” Demoulas, the chief executive officer of Market Basket, joked.Demoulas and company officials joined Rizzo, Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, city and state representatives, media and many fans to officially open Store #74 in Revere. The store is the first opened since Demoulas returned in late August as head of the supermarket chain.Demoulas was fired in June by a board controlled by his cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas. Employees of the supermarket chain walked off their jobs in protest, and hundreds of warehouse workers and drivers refused to deliver fresh produce to the chain’s 71 stores.The chain’s owners finally signed off on a plan Aug. 27 to sell the majority of the company’s shares to Arthur T. for a reported financing package of $1.5 billion, including cash and a $500 million loan from a private equity firm.The chain, known for its low prices, lost tens of millions of dollars during the standoff. The dispute also put plans for new locations in Revere and Lynn in limbo.But the Revere location opened Sunday, drawing droves of shoppers from the area.Rizzo noted Thursday that the opening of the store fulfilled a promise from Artie T.”He said ?I am going to be the wind at your back to open the store,'” Rizzo said. “True to his word, we’re standing here today.”DeLeo described the city and the business as “a fitting alliance.” He said Revere and Market Basket “have bright futures,” and the dedication, loyalty and respect shared among Demoulas and his employees were “traits that also guide Revere citizens.”Demoulas said he was glad to be welcomed in Revere and praised the unprecedented faith that communities and workers had given the supermarket.”You’ve given us a new sense of purpose,” Demoulas said.And he kept the connections local for the ribbon cutting. He introduced Revere resident Angela Gibelli to the crowd, recalling how she drove to company headquarters in Tewksbury when she heard the dispute had been resolved.Demoulas was in a morning meeting when Gibelli arrived but said he would see her afterwards.”She said, ?Look it, I have all day as long as I leave before dark – I don’t drive at night,” Demoulas recalled before he, Gibelli and other officials cut the ribbon.”I’m so happy this has come true for us, we’ve waited over a year,” Revere resident Susan Young said. “The prices are great, they take good care of their employees and customers, I’m so happy that they finally opened up.”