Michael Masterangelo isn’t just any grocery store checkout clerk — he’s the one customers hope is on shift.
At the Publix in Acworth, Ga., it’s easy to tell when he’s working: The line at his register stretches down the aisle, with shoppers happily waiting 40 minutes or more just to share a few moments with him.
And the feeling is mutual.
“I love my job,” Masterangelo, 29, told The Post.
“Every day, I’m just so happy to be here. I have hundreds of people who know me. It’s wonderful for me. I look forward to it and I look forward to talking with my customers and friends. We talk about basketball and all sorts of things.”
Store manager Countney McGuiness calls him a shining light.
“His positivity that he comes in with every day makes working and shopping here enjoyable,” she said. “He’s always smiling. He takes so much pride and joy in what he does. It’s great to witness everyone in the county come in and give him a hug and speak to him. He goes above and beyond in every way.”
Masterangelo, who has autism, began attracting his ever-growing crowd of admirers when he began at the supermarket more than a dozen years ago — just by being his exuberant, charming self.
“I speak to every person I check out,” he said. “I ask them all about themselves and their families. I get to know them and they get to know me. Each time I see them we catch up.”
Masterangelo has been part of the Special Olympics since childhood. Between scanning groceries and counting change, he encourages customers to donate to the organization that means so much to him.
During January’s Publix Special OIympics’ fundraiser events, his donation box overflowed, raising nearly $32,000 in six days.
“I can’t believe I did that by myself,” he said proudly.
Customers say they give because of the kindness he shows them every day.
“He’s my buddy,” one shopper said to local news station 11 Alive. “He’s one of the few people I trust.”
When he’s not working, Masterangelo competes in basketball, soccer, and flag football. His biggest fans, many of them customers, show up to cheer him on.
His mother, Dana Peshel, beams with pride.
“It means everything,” she said. “He is just a light to everyone.”
“It makes me feel amazing. I feel like I raised him right … I don’t worry about him. I know he’s going to be okay. Because he has so much love with family, friends and community,” she added.
Masterangelo hopes to stay at Publix until retirement — and he’s got one dream.
“I want to be in a Publix commercial,” he said. “I want everyone to know how much I love the store, the community, and everyone who loves and supports me. It makes me feel so special.”
The post Fans in Georgia line up for beloved autistic Publix checkout clerk appeared first on New York Post.
