BIDDEFORD — Employees and customers alike were all smiles at Market Basket Thursday morning.

Customers were back filling their carts and chatting with workers. Part-time employees who had no working hours for the past few weeks were coming in to get their schedules. Workers were stocking shelves, the cashiers were ringing up orders and everyone was smiling ear to ear.

Part-time worker Stacey Scribner of Biddeford said she’s scheduled to return to work Sunday morning.

“It’s awesome. There’s such a feeling of excitement through the whole store,” she said.

“Isn’t it wonderful,” exclaimed Dick Deschambault of Arundel, who was shopping with his wife, Terry, just three hours after the store opened for the day. “It’s people power.”

“It’s great,” Terry Deschambault added. “We really missed it.”

There were hugs and balloons, and joy that the long family impasse that had brought the 71-store supermarket chain to almost a complete standstill was over.

And their guy won.

Arthur T. Demoulas, or “Artie T,” as he is known by employees ”“ and now by everyone else ”“ announced at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday that an agreement had been signed for him to buy ”“ for $1.5 billion ”“ the 50.5 percent of the company owned by his cousin Arthur S. Demoulas and his side of the family.

“Effective immediately, Arthur T. Demoulas is returning to Market Basket with day-to-day operational authority of the company,” Arthur T.’s spokeswoman said in the statement. “He and his management team will return to Market Basket during the interim period while the transaction to purchase the company is completed. The current co-CEOs will remain in place pending the closing, which is expected to occur in the next several months.”

Biddeford Store Director Micum McIntire said it won’t be long before the store is fully stocked with the perishables that have been missing for the last several weeks. McIntire said the store has meat and eggs, and was expecting a fish order to arrive Thursday afternoon and fresh produce on Friday.

How’s business?

“Fantastic,” said McIntire. And, he said, he’s called back all 270 part-time workers.

Customers said they like the bargains at the Market Basket chain ”“ and some saw what had transpired over the past six weeks as something more.

“It’s regular folks, pushing back against corporate greed,” said Michael Jubinsky, who operates Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School Lyman, as he pushed his cart around the store. “Workers are standing up to say, ”˜No, no more.’”

Kim and Dave Brooks of Waterboro were shopping, too. Kim Brooks said she’d worked in the Tewksbury, Massachusetts store as a teenager. The couple was glad to be back, but supported the employees.

“If employees take a stand. I believe customers should,” she said.

“I’m excited to get back to production,” said Rone Friedel of Sanford, who works in the prepared foods department, dispensing hot chicken tenders, fries and similar fare.

Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant stopped by just before noon Thursday. He said the store has been positive for the community.

“I’m thrilled,” Casavant said. “It’s nice to see them back on line.”

Peter and Barbara Jordan brought in balloons for staffers and said they’d picketed during the long impasse. Market Basket, they said, has been a “godsend.” Peter Jordan said the couple saves $25 to $50 every time they shop.

“I shook Arthur T.’s hand the day they opened,” said Peter Jordan.

“He must be a special man to have that loyalty and support,” said Barbara Jordan.

Hours after reaching an agreement to buy the company, Demoulas celebrated with workers in a rally at headquarters Thursday, saying he loved them and appreciated their efforts in helping him regain control.

“Seeing all of you here today is like seeing a little piece of heaven on Earth,” Demoulas told several hundred workers Thursday morning in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. “I am in awe of what you have all accomplished,” he said, describing the workers’ six-week action as an insurgence.

“The public watched in awe and admiration because you empowered others to seek change,” he said.

Keene State College management professor, Dr. Emily Porschitz, said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon that she’ll be watching closely, particularly given that during the interim, before the sale closes, the co-CEOs Felicia Thornton and James Gooch will remain in place.

“Even my students are wondering how this is going to work. How much power will Arthur T. have? How much power will they have?” she questioned.

“I’ve been thinking about what Arthur T. is going to do now and within the next few days to show he’s the leader,” said Porschitz. “They’ve put him on a big pedestal. He’s got a lot of pressure right now to turn the company around.”

— The Associated Press contributed to this report. Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.