Introducing a salute to ‘backbone of our industry’

On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers.

“Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president.

“Independents are a vital part of their communities and lead the way in caring for their customers. Our Exceptional Independents Awards shine a light on these businesses that continue to help feed our communities.”

Coverage of the award winners will appear by region in the March 2023 editions of The Shelby Report of the Midwest, The Shelby Report of the Southeast, The Shelby Report of the Southwest, The Shelby Report of the West and The Griffin Report of the Northeast. Awards winners also will be featured on theshelbyreport.com.

Barons Market

Barons Market, a local family-owned independent retailer based in Poway, California, has always thought of its employees as part of the extended family. In a year where labor shortages were plaguing the grocery and other industries, Barons put employees at the forefront of operations.

The Barons Market LEAD program is not only focused on teaching employees the ins and outs of grocery management, but it helps them find their passion in what they do. In 2022, the company expanded the program, with more employees participating. This resulted in 10 new assistant manager positions among its nine stores. It all stems from the company’s core value that employees are the No. 1 asset. The key is culture.

In a statement, the company said: “We’re so proud that we’ve built a company culture that encourages creativity, passion and engagement among our team. We’ve created a work environment where employees feel excited to come to work every day. We want our employees to truly love what they do and, if they don’t, we beg them to find another job.

“While we’ve always had terrific benefits – health insurance, an employee discount, bonuses and 401K matching – we added new employee benefits in 2022, including dental insurance for all full-time employees, increased the employee discount from 10 percent to 15 percent and added vacation time for all employees, no matter their position.

Bristol Farms

“Barons Market will always be an employee-focused company. We believe that when our employees are happy, our customers are happy, and this will have a ripple effect among the communities that we are in.”

Chester’s Markets

Since 1982, Bristol Farms has brought people together around the cooking and sharing of good food. Its offerings encourage discovery of new flavors and emerging brands, while also providing traditional grocery essentials in a welcoming environment.

With 14 locations in Southern California, Bristol Farms focuses on fresh and flavorful offerings – premium and organic produce, fresh bakery, full-service meat and seafood counters, artisanal cheese, large assortment of made in-house ready-to-eat meals, as well as premium wines and craft beers.

Customer favorites include Orange Chicken, Poke Bar and The Cookie-Original Belgian Chocolate Chip with walnuts and sea salt and the New Peanut Butter, both baked fresh and served warm.

For more than 40 years, Bristol Farms continues to inspire home cooks, foodies, and entrepreneurs.

Chester’s Markets is located in rural Oregon, miles away from urban cities with big box retailers. Chester’s prides itself on its dedication to the community and ability to provide shoppers with the products they need right there in their hometown.

Chester’s provides its customers with a full meat and seafood department, fresh produce, bakery items and full-service deli.

Chester’s proves that independent grocers are necessary by giving its community a local place to shop instead of having to travel hundreds of miles to go to larger stores. Chester’s proves that it is possible to stay local and stay loyal without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Columbus IGA

The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Paul, Mike and Tim Matovich, owners of Columbus IGA Plus in Columbus, Montana, as one of the nine IGA USA Retailers of the Year.

The awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.

The history of Columbus IGA Plus began in 1973, when George Matovich bought Davis Thriftway with minimal knowledge of the grocery business. He renamed the store to Columbus Food Farm and doubled the sales volume within two years.

In 1975, George’s middle son, Paul, who had been working for the Boise Cascade Corp. in Provo, Utah, decided it was time to come back and join his father in

Dehoff’s Market

the family business. In 1978, after completing the first of many additions and remodels, Paul made the decision to join the Independent Grocers Alliance.

Community support was important to George and remains integral to the Matovich family and Columbus IGA Plus store, which donates to almost every organization, fundraiser, school and sports functions in the town and surrounding community. Among others, the beneficiaries include Stillwater Youth Center, Special K Ranch, 4-H,

Company President Chris Dehoff has four siblings. Two brothers and a sister are involved with the business. His two oldest children are at college but have helped out “since they were old enough to hold a box cutter.” They still work at the store over holiday breaks and whenever they can.

In 2019, the family began to renovate the original location, which is the only store to continue operations under the Dehoff’s banner. They went about a “complete makeover,” adding a new kitchen and deli department while transitioning

Columbus Community Foundation, Stillwater Billings Clinic, Museum of the Beartooth’s and Special Olympics.

The store also runs annual food drives for Project Hope, which provides meals to families all year round.

“For the past 50 years the community has supported the Columbus IGA Plus and the Columbus IGA Plus has supported the community,” Mike Matovich said. “Our family is blessed to be in such a wonderful community, and we are grateful we get to serve our community daily through the grocery store.

“We pull customers from a 40-mile radius, and the employees never get tired of hearing a customer tell them they wish they had a store like this in their community.” the meat department into full service. Produce and bakery were expanded and every aisle “remerchandised.”

“We expanded on all the areas that customers care about. We’ve gone a lot more organic, a lot more natural and expanded our fine wine or liquor while emphasizing our craft beer selection,” Dehoff said.

In 2022, they celebrated their 50 years in service to the community all while competition across the street changed names seven times until they finally gave up.

Foods Etc.

Over the course of 25 years, Dennis Darling and his wife, Ruth, have defined what it means to be a community grocer. Operating two stores in two small Northern California towns, Foods Etc. – a twotime IGA Independent Grocer of the Year – has become woven into the fabric of Lake County and the wider California grocery community. Most importantly for Darling, Foods Etc. has allowed him to offer career and educational opportunities to the small towns he serves.

Nearly 10 years ago, Darling spearheaded the vital merger between the California Independent Grocers Association and the California Grocers Association, which significantly strengthened California’s grocery industry. The merger has led to more robust

Granite Falls IGA

The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Tyler Trask and Tanya Murray, owners of Granite Falls IGA in Granite Falls, Washington as one of nine IGA USA Retailers of the Year.

The awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.

“We are tremendously proud to be in such incredible company with this award and cannot express how much this means to our family, our staff and our community,” Trask said. “Taking this opportunity to reflect on our journey as a company since our beginnings almost 30 years ago in 1993, through our transition to joining the IGA global family and now looking to a future of secondgeneration ownership carrying the torch forward to burn even brighter is particularly nostalgic for us.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause and reflect on the choices we have made and the people we political representation but also training and educational resources for independent grocers. Darling is serving as CGA board chair. have worked with to lead us to this moment. We know that our staff members, customers, community leaders, wholesaler, vendors and fellow independent grocers that we have met and worked with throughout these years have helped shape and inspire us.”

Whether he is engaging the broader grocery community or the communities of Clearlake and Susanville, Darling consistently brings the full force of his talents. Both he and his wife, Ruth, have served as Rotary Club chairs. Darling is also a longtime school board member.

In recent years, he was honored as a “Star of Lake County” by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson for his work with the school board, grocery stores and other community-driven activities. Notably, Foods Etc. sponsors local athletic teams, school events and the Lake County Annual Kids Fest.

The Darlings plan to retire in 2024, when Foods Etc. will pass on to the couple’s daughter and son-in-law. After 25 years of building a sense of community in Lake County and within the state’s grocery community, it’s difficult to imagine a more deserving independent grocer of this award.

Granite Falls IGA demonstrates community appreciation and commitment through a wide array of business practices and events such as its Charity Give Back Program, where it donates 1 percent of all a customer’s sales to their elected local charity.

“Donations in general are a huge part of our business, whether it be helping out the local schools and community organizations, supplying over 250 Holiday Meal Deals to our local food bank, partnering with local charities by donating food or our kitchen space to help feed our community, or sponsoring a Round Up fundraiser,” Trask said. “We couldn’t be more proud that we average about

$20,000 in donations to our local community every year.”

The local grocer ensures the spirit of being Hometown Proud is a year-round occurrence by hosting several free or low-cost community events throughout the year. These include free Santa photos, Easter Egg hunts, Mother’s Day flowerpot painting and potting, pumpkin painting, summer block parties with $1 family barbecue meals and cartoon character meet-and-greets.

Harmons Neighborhood Grocer

Harmons Neighborhood Grocery is a deserving nominee for The Shelby Report’s 2023 Exceptional Independents Award due to its dedication to investing in stores, as well as its commitment to supporting and giving back to local community and charities.

The company has a history of consistently updating and renovating stores, ensuring that they are modern and well-equipped to serve customers. The recent opening of a 20th location, Harmons Daybreak, in South Jordan, Utah, is a testament to this commitment. It is the third of the company’s smaller market formats that cater to all of their customer’s needs in a smaller footprint than that of their flagship model stores.

The 39,517-square-foot location offers a unique shopping experience with value-driven staples and foodie finds, as well as a full-service pharmacy, kitchen full of chef-driven recipes, bakery including artisan baked bread, full-service meat counter and fresh produce. It also has an in-store restaurant

Mar-Val Food Stores

Founded in 1952, Mar-Val’s has grown to encompass 12 stores in Northern California, serving the communities of Colfax, Escalon, Glen Ellen, Georgetown, Groveland, Nice, Pleasanton, Prather, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Valley Springs and Willows.

Last year saw a lot of growth for Mar-Val. It grew by two stores, invested in remodels and embraced self-checkouts and e-commerce. The team is engaged in staying relevant to consumers and competitive against the large chains.

New Seasons Market

Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market was recognized as the ninth “Most Admired Company” in the state by the Portland Business Journal, selected by 271 of the state’s top executives.

Joining New Seasons Market – and more than 100 honorees – on the list are organizations like Columbia Sportswear Co., Intel and Nike, as well as the grocer’s peers in the food and beverage industry, including Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, Dutch Bros Coffee, Salt & Straw and Tillamook Country Creamery Association.

More than 4,500 Oregon-based organizations were nominated.

“I’m very humbled by – and grateful to – the Portland Business Journal and the broader business community,” said Nancy Lebold, CEO.

“To be named among notable local, national and international Oregon-based brands is truly incredible. This recognition is 100 percent attributable to our staff, who provide exceptional customer service while never ceasing to share their generosity with our New Sesons community.” concept – “Just Burgers” – a local’s favorite for burgers and fries cooked in Wagyu beef tallow.

This investment not only benefits shoppers with a unique experience compared to the competition, but it also creates a pleasant and efficient work environment for associates.

In addition to investing in their stores, Harmons and associates are also committed to supporting charities and being involved in the local community.

The company has a long history of partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Special Olympics Utah and hosting events and fundraisers to give back to the neighborhoods they serve.

The company raises awareness and funding for the Special Olympics of Utah through in-store root beer float sales, customer donations at registers, an associates and Special Olympics athletes bowling tournament and a charity golf tournament for Harmons vendor partners that raised more than $80,655 last spring.

Similarly, for the past 24 years, the company has supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society with in-store events/donations and another charity golf tournament. It also holds the annual “Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride” – a two-day bicycle ride June 24-25 as a part of the annual Bike MS event with a goal of raising $950,000.

It is part of Mar-Val’s value proposition to invest in the communities it serves, weaving itself into the fabric of the neighborhoods. The company provides scholarships for customers, partners with local food banks and also raises money for local nonprofits with e-Script. In a recent example of generous community spirit, Mar-Val donated $12,000 in store gift cards to a victim of a home fire.

Mar-Val is the epitome of an independent grocer and truly deserving of this award.

Mollie Stone’s Markets

Mike Stone, the owner of Mollie Stone’s Markets, is committed to providing the best possible shopping experience for customers and making a difference in people’s lives through food.

Mollie Stone’s first market was in Redwood City, California, and it carried only natural and organic products. The company realized that customers wanted a place where they could get not only their natural and organic produce, meats, health and beauty products, but

This is the 11th time New Seasons Market has been named to the “Most Admired Companies” list in the last 14 years. Earlier this year, Forbes named New Seasons Market the No. 1 Oregon-based employer and retailer. It also recently received the AmeriStar Award for its fresh pasta packaging, created for its Partner Brand private label to reduce single-use packaging.

As an employer, New Seasons Market offers industry-leading compensation and a comprehensive benefits plan that includes medical, dental/orthodontia, vision, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, paid volunteer time, paid vacation and adoption assistance. And, as the first grocer to achieve B Corp certification, New Seasons Market aims to exceed social and environmental performance standards, accountability and transparency.

Founded in 2000 by three families and 50 friends, New Seasons Market is a friendly neighborhood grocery store with about 2,700 employees across 19 stores in Oregon also conventional necessities such as vitamin-enriched cereals and popular name-brand products. Therefore, the concept of “Best of Both Worlds” was born. and Washington, serving a mix of locally sourced and organic items, classic grocery favorites and chef-made grab-and-go meal solutions.

This marriage of necessity and passion shopping sets Mollie Stone’s stores apart from most. Its roots remain in healthy, natural and specialty foods.

Mollie Stone’s buyers work closely with local producers around the greater Bay Area to bring high quality products to every aisle.

New Seasons Market is proud of its progressive values – from offering industry-leading compensation and benefits to committing 10 percent of its after-tax profits to the communities it serves.

Northgate Market

Northgate Market was founded in 1980 by a Mexican immigrant named Don Miguel González. His mission to enrich the lives of others through authentic Mexican food is realized today through the familyfocused culture and vibrant customer experience.

Northgate Market has grown to more than 40 locations in Southern California. Despite the growth, the focus remains unchanged – service to employees and customers and honoring their heritage by sharing it with patrons.

Northgate Market serves employees by urging their individual development, providing educational opportunities and education reimbursement. Northgate Market has partnered with Cerritos College, University of Southern California and Brandman University to offer language classes and specialized training. These opportunities are available to all employees to further promote their culture of growth and self-development.

Northgate Market serves customers by recognizing that every customer has a story, and it encourages associates to operate under this mentality. Understanding that each customer has a unique set of needs and expectations, the company seeks out opportunities to care for customers.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Northgate Market saw an opportunity to provide further value for customers. The disruptions to supply chains and ad distribution led the company to restructure its marketing strategy, launching a digital ad platform, Mercado Experience, by partnering with Ideal by Design House.

Continuing its history of innovation, Northgate Market has built a superior weekly ad experience for customers, delivered to their phones. Customers can watch rich video content, clip coupons and receive personalized offers all within the weekly digital ad. The Mercado Experience strengthens the connection between the brand and customers, while giving Northgate Market valuable insight to the effectiveness of its ad writing and ability to drive traffic instore.

Design House’s Ideal ad platform delivers cost per visit and visitation frequency information, allowing Northgate Market to make decisions based on real data.

Northgate Market has a rich history of innovation, service and providing exceptional customer experiences. Its ability to see opportunity within challenges and reimagine ad strategy using technology, has proven it will continue Don Miguel and the González family legacy for years to come.

North State Grocery Inc.-Holiday Market

North State Grocery Inc.-Holiday Market is an employee-owned and -operated neighborhood grocery store chain in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Its vision is to give customers the friendliest service while providing the freshest meats and produce available.

Richard E. Morgan started the Holiday name in 1962 at a small store on historic Front Street in Cottonwood, California. Today, the company still has its headquarters on Front Street, where it takes pride in its small-town roots.

From Placerville north to Alturas, and now into Klamath Falls, Holiday Market operates 15 stores. Each one is committed to the friendliest service and the freshest foods sold in the cleanest of stores.