Get To Know 2024 IGA Retailers of the Year: Part III

Welcome to the final installment of our 2024 Retailers of The Year profiles.

The Retailer of the Year awards are the highest honors the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) bestows upon its retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have delivered excellence in their stores and communities.

In this installment, learn how the leadership from Pocahontas IGA, Price Less IGA #484, and Nemenz IGA are thriving as independent grocers serving their communities. Find the first set of profiles here, and second set here.

Judy & Don Gabriele | Nemenz IGA | Struthers, Ohio

IGA CEO John Ross presents an award certificate to Judy and Don Gabriele and the Nemenz IGA team in Struthers, Ohio. 

A great local grocery store is more than just a bakery or meat department; it's the full assortment that allows a customer to complete their full shopping mission while getting excited about cooking and eating the food. 

At Nemenz IGA in Struthers, Ohio, Judy and Don Gabriele have nurtured the store to provide the best possible shopping experience, with displays that make you hungry everywhere you look. 

Embracing Local Equals Fresh, Judy and Don have curated exceptional fresh departments at Nemenz IGA, highlighted by a bakery that sets the standard. From the moment customers step foot into the store, the aroma of freshly baked pastries fills the air, leading them to a display of irresistible bakery delights. With a dedicated team of 30 staff members solely in the bakery, including eight skilled cake decorators, the commitment to delivering top-notch quality is evident at every turn.

Nemenz IGA is known for many other exclusive, in-store made products, such as their fresh sausage, used by local Italian restaurants, and the best fried fish in town, available on Fridays in the hot foods case. Their full-scale floral department provides flowers for weddings, funerals, and other special events in the community. In addition to store-made products, they also sell local produce, pasta sauce, beer, and much more.

Since being named 2021 IGA USA Retailers of the Year, the Gabrieles have prioritized reinvesting in their store. They have installed the complete IGA décor package, which delivers a visual update highlighting IGA messaging throughout the store; new flooring; self-checkout lanes, which have been well-received well by shoppers; and new exterior signage to match the rest of the IGA décor package.

Judy and Don have carried Nemenz IGA into the modern era of grocery stores while maintaining the charm and uniqueness that Gustav Nemenz (a first-generation German immigrant and Judy's grandfather) created in the 1930s when he opened a small store in the front room of his family home. They certainly have a reputation to uphold: Henry, Judy's father, is a member of the Ohio Grocers Association Hall of Fame! The family tradition will continue, as Judy and Don are training their son Matthew to take over as a fourth-generation operator (all three of Judy and Don's children have worked in their store over the years). We can't wait to see what the future holds for this family store.

Rob Hilleary | Pocahontas IGA | Marlinton, WV

IGA CEO John Ross (second from far right) presents an award certificate to Rob Hilleary and the Pocahontas IGA team.

It's a great risk taking over an independent grocery store in a community, as the new retailer doesn't know how consumers will respond. Especially when replacing an established family store in business for 50 years. Pocahontas IGA is an example of that risk paying off.

Since he acquired the store in January 2021, Rob Hilleary has put a remarkable investment into Pocahontas IGA. Previously the store manager, Hilleary’s initiatives have brought a fresh and modern appeal to the establishment. The store needed significant investments in almost every corner: flooring, ceiling, roof, front-end racking, and to do that when inflation is high and competition is ever-increasing takes courage.

The Marlinton, West Virginia, store now caters to both local residents and ski resort guests, with clean, wide aisles, new flooring, and a wide selection of center store produce, meat, and adult beverages that feels like a high-end national chain. With a dedicated person managing the loyalty program in collaboration with AppCard and the seamless integration of online shopping through FreshOp, the digital shopping experience mirrors the high-quality in-store experience.

Responding to feedback from field merchandisers and his retail counselor, Hilleary successfully implemented truckload meat sales, spring plant sales, and allocated half of the bread rack to MDI's fully finished, retail-ready bread program, offering a great variety to shoppers. This proactive approach demonstrates his trust in the wholesaler and confidence in initiatives that resonate with and retain customers.

Beyond the business realm, Hilleary is deeply involved in the community. He participates in the high school career day to actively promote careers in the grocery industry, joins the town's parade, and spreads joy by distributing Christmas presents to children during Santa Claus visits.

Hilleary's support for local initiatives is both generous and diverse. He sources beef from the 4-H, slices hams and bacons for the FFA (Future Farmers of America) sale at no charge, and collaborates with the local Ladies Club, Rotary Club, and Lions Club for impactful fundraising events. Notably, the parking lot often transforms into a vibrant hub for fundraising activities before Memorial Day.

From his investment in updating the store to a modern grocer offering fresh, quality foods to a diverse customer base to constantly caring for the community, Hilleary serves as an example of what the next generation of grocers can bring to the industry.

Tim Forshee | Price Less IGA #484 | Bowling Green, Kentucky

IGA CEO John Ross presents a certificate to Tim Forshee and the Price Less IGA #484 team.

It's no secret that today's grocery shoppers want a great in-store experience and to be able to feed their family high-quality food, regardless of income level. Tim Forshee and the team at Price Less IGA #484 in Bowling Green, Kentucky embody the concept that low priced food does not have to equal low quality food.

When shoppers walk into the store, they are greeted with both value aisles and a high-quality produce area that winds back to a beautiful meat case with hand-cut and ground meat. Shoppers can feel the quality in their experience, as Forshee and team show respect to shoppers by making sure the food is beautifully merchandised and well-priced. They have created an environment that says, 'Just because you're on a budget, doesn't mean that you have to compromise quality for what you feed your family.'

Forshee said his team’s commitment to their shoppers has contributed to their positive sales increase of 13.89% over the past year.

“At the heart of our success lies an unwavering commitment to customer service, fostering loyalty among patrons who recognize and appreciate the exceptional experience we provide," he explained. "Together, we’ve created an environment where customers feel valued and appreciated, fostering lasting relationships that extend beyond mere transactions.”

The store partners with various community organizations, including: Soky Patriots, which ensures school children have access to nourishing meals; the Stuff the Bus Foundation, which collects funds locally to provide school supplies to children; and the St. Teresa Food Pantry by offering affordable options for the pantry's purchases. 

"Being nominated for IGA Retailer of the Year is a recognition not just of individual efforts but of the collective dedication of the Price Less IGA #484 team and the strong bonds we have forged around Bowling Green," Forshee said.