HOME GROWN & LOCAL Tom’s Food Markets
HOME GROWN & with Tom’s Food Markets
Local,
Nancy Deering Sands, President, & Jane Deering, Vice President West Bay – East Bay – 14th street – Interlochen - Northport toms-foodmarkets.com
2021 marks the 75th anniversary of your family’s business, tell us the story how it all started. It was 1945 in Empire, and on our 80-acre farm my grandparents had a huge perfect cherry crop. They made enough money to move into Traverse City and purchase the first market on the corner of 11th and Maple streets. The store was 30x40’ in size. Our grandfather cut his own beef there, our dad skinned chickens and our grandmother kept the books. The first week sales were $400. Our early stores, West Bay, 1961 and 14th street, 1968 were originally Tom’s Food Market and Family Centers, that sold shoes, clothing, albums, fabric and other general merchandise as well as groceries. Expansion continued into the 80s with locations in Acme and at the Cherryland Mall. And in the 90s Northport and East Bay Plaza, with Interlochen built in 2009. Our grandfather passed away in 1967, one year short of seeing the 14th Street location completed. Our dad told us that was the scariest time of his life when he knew he had to go forward alone. Our dad passed away March 15, 2019, and little did we know our sister would pass away just 10 short months later. My dad loved the flag and raised and lowered it everyday at all his markets and home. He was a veteran and he lived and honored greatly the American dream. How involved are you both in the day to day running of the company? Jane: I get up every day at 4.45am and my day never stops from there. The stores all check in around 6 am. I go where my car takes me and where the need is. Day to day I go to all five markets. Everyone knows they can call me for anything. I mainly focus on the deli, bakery and general merchandise. My most favorite day is Tuesday. I do the new hire orientations and I love to get to meet everyone. There is never a day that I hate to go to work and I feel so blessed. I love all of the personalities. It’s been hard this past year I feel like I get to go to work and help lift someone’s spirits. Nancy: On January 20, 2020, our beautiful sister and president Christy Kuhnke passed away. My world took a 180 degree turn when 3 weeks later I relocated to Traverse City to assume her role as president. Not a single day is the same in this business, I love that!
My days are filled with your typical barrage of emails, time spent with attorneys, accountants, contractors for our stores, art designers for marketing materials. But, most importantly I spend as much time as possible with our associates out in the markets. That’s my favorite part of any day. There are some quality items that only Tom’s Food Markets have, can you share that with us? It doesn’t get more local than Tom’s! The history and story of our markets is the true meaning of local. We support local farmers and businesses by selling as many local products as possible. Some of our own signature items are our Tom’s apple fritters, Tom’s sausage, Tom’s baked chicken, Tom’s bagels and of course our chairman’s reserve beef, that is the best! What’s the next big thing for Tom’s Food Markets? We’re super excited to be investing in our Northport market, with a complete remodel and some exciting and beautiful changes to the exterior as well in 2021. And at Tom’s East Bay we have already installed an entirely new set of produce and beverage cases that our customers are really responding to and we’ll remodel the inside as well in 2021. As well as offer Tom’s Xpress services and this fall. We want to give our customers and employees beautiful new places to shop and work. Tell us about your special 75th anniversary. Nancy: I’m happy to be home again in Traverse City and perhaps where I was always meant to be. I’m proud and honored to be carrying on our family legacy in the grocery business at Tom’s. Tom’s Food Markets celebrates 75 years serving the grocery needs of the greater Grand Traverse Area. Please come and shop local with us. We’ll have some super exciting in store specials and events across all five stores to honor our 75th. We have collaborated with Iron Fish Distillery and Short’s Brewing Company on a special single barrel bourbon aged in their stout barrels. Our dad’s favorite beer was Bellaire Brown and this fall we will have a special aged release of this delicious beer as well. Cheers to 75 years!
Nancy and Jane’s Dad, Dan Deering with grandad and founder Tom Deering.
“It doesn’t get more local than Tom’s! The history and story of our markets is the true meaning of local.”
