Rosauers Supermarket

Rosauers Supermarket had its beginning in 1934 when J. Merton Rosauer, just out of school, bought a little grocery store on the corner of Sprague and Lee streets in Spokane, Washington. The purchase was financed by a $1,000 loan from his father and mother. These were Depression times, and it was four years before the loan could be paid back out of profits.

It took courage and faith to launch a business at a time when America’s economy was turned upside down. Over the years, Mr. Rosauer would parlay these traits into one of the most successful and innovative corporations in the Pacific Northwest. In 1938, he sold his first neighborhood store and reinvested the earnings in another. A short time later, he repeated that process again. Then in 1949, Mr. Rosauer opened the company’s first – and Spokane’s first – supermarket. “Located at 3rd and Oak, it incorporated lessons and ideas that had been 15 years in the making. At that time, Rosauers had about 20 employees. But these dedicated people made the new supermarket an instant success. Interestingly, that first store is still operating, in a space seven times larger than its original size.”

Since the first supermarket in 1949, Rosauers has expanded its operations to include conventional supermarkets, price impact super stores, and natural and organic markets, serving the Inland Pacific Northwest in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

In 1984, prior to retiring, Mert Rosauer sold the company to another Spokane-based business, URM Stores Inc. By selling to his supplier, Rosauer felt that the traditions he established would endure at the stores he founded for many more years to come.

In September 1989, after just five years of ownership, the board of directors for URM Stores made a decision to sell the Rosauers chain. On July 27, 1990, a dream came true for the 1,250 Rosauers employees of that time. They became the proud new owners of 15 food and drug stores operating in four states, one free-standing pharmacy, an ice

Super King Markets

cream plant and the corporate office building, through an employee stock ownership plan transaction.

Since 1990, Rosauers has made several acquisitions to expand stores and add to the total number in operation. These included: Market Time Drug in Lewiston, Idaho; Drug Fair in Moscow, Idaho; Super 1 Foods in Spokane, Washington; the Monroe Street Market and Spokane Wine Company in Spokane, Washington; Super 1 Foods in Walla Walla, Washington; Super 1 Foods in Colville, Washington; and the Excel Food Store in Colfax, Washington. New stores have been built in Yakima and 9 Mile Falls, Washington, Bozeman, Montana, and Meridian, Idaho.

In June of 2000, the employees, by unanimous vote, resold the company to URM Stores. Today, Rosauers Supermarkets Inc. consists of 17 Rosauers Stores, four Super 1 Foods Stores and one free-standing Huckleberry’s Natural Market. The company has about 2,100 employees.

Rosauers has continued to stand by its founding principles of providing the highest quality products, largest selection, cleanest stores and friendliest, professional service. Commitment to valuing its employees and customers will continue to guide the company toward a successful future. Mert Rosauer would be proud of the legacy he founded so many years ago

Super King consistently delivers the highest quality of food products at excellent values in clean stores. Its employees are the best partners in this endeavor, making Super King a desirable workplace. The company’s customers reflect the diversity of Southern California, as does its products. Super King honors diversity, while ensuring a safe shopping environment for all patrons.

Superior Grocers

Superior Grocers is one of the largest independentlyowned chains of grocery stores in Southern California. Its philosophy is to offer the highest quality products at the lowest prices with exceptional customer service.

Shoppers can always count on excellent value, variety and quality at Superior Grocers. As the company noted: “We are dedicated to building a community of loyal customers, vendors and staff, where food shopping is fun and the

Western Kosher

Los Angeles-based Western Kosher is a gourmet market carrying kosher groceries and prepared meals such as sushi, plus wine and fresh produce.

In its nomination, the person recommending the company wrote: “I believe that Western Kosher team deserves recognition for implementing charity giving through their online shop. They have partnered with a local charity to act as their vehicle to deliver groceries to poor families in their local community.” spirit and love of family guide our actions. Superior takes great pride in the abundant variety of freshly prepared products found in the bakery, meat and seafood.”

In addition to beautiful, spacious stores filled with fresh foods, Superior also offers other services to support the community. These include utility bill payment processing, water vending machines, ATMs and coin counting machines.