Bob Craft and David Pike Continue Their Award-Winning Streak

When a friend and loyal customer told Bob Craft, owner of Calais IGA and Orono IGA, that he wanted to nominate Craft for Maine Family Business Awards, Craft was flattered, but didn't expect much to come from it.

“He asked if I thought he should, and I said, 'Sure, why not?'” Craft recalled. “I didn’t think we’d win anything, but I appreciated the gesture.”

What started as a casual nomination turned into another proud moment for Craft, his business partner David Pike, and their team. Out of more than 500 nominations, their stores were named Maine’s First-Generation Family Business of the Year.

For Craft and Pike, the recognition felt like a continuation of the momentum that began after winning an IGA Retailer of the Year award at the 2025 NGA Show.

“The Family Business Award was a total surprise,” Craft said. “But I think it reflects what people saw in us during the IGA awards too. It’s not just about running a good store. It’s about community, our employees, and the relationships that make this business work.”

The Calais IGA and Orono IGA leadership team with their awards.

Grocery Employees For Life

Craft and Pike started their careers in grocery at age 14, and have remained devoted to the industry ever since.

"It was one of the happiest days of my life," Craft said of his first day. "I started at the Calais IGA on August 28, 1991 — a day that marked the beginning of a lifelong career and passion."

In 1999, at the request of their then bosses Ed and Kathy Bell, Craft and Pike opened and began operating another store: Orono IGA in Orono, Maine. In 2019, they purchased both Orono IGA and Calais IGA from the Bells, teaming up with C&S Wholesale Grocers, who Pike said, "provides us product and excellent service with team members always available for any assistance needed."

While Craft and Pike have spent their lives learning the ropes and honing their skills in the industry, it hasn't been without challenges.<

"We had and still have 15 grocery/club stores within a 15-mile radius," Craft said. "We had to make our niche and offer our customers a reason to stop at our store. We earned the trust of our employees and customers and proved we could deliver an exceptional shopping experience while saving a ton of money. It was a challenge we willingly accepted and I think we nailed it!"

Nailed it they did. Craft and Pike earned the 2025 USA IGA Retailer of the Year and the Thomas S. Haggai Hometown Proud Awards in February 2025, and now hold Maine’s First-Generation Family Business of the Year. Each win has given Craft and Pike an audience of business leaders from across the country during their acceptance speeches, and this recent ceremony was especially big for Craft.

“The owner of Allagash Brewing was there, which is my all-time favorite beer, and I told everyone I was a little starstruck,” he said. “That got a big laugh, and he even mentioned us later when he accepted his own award. It was such a cool moment.”

Recognition That Resonates

Judges and guests cited Craft and Pike's longevity in the business and their commitment to doing things the right way as the reasons for their win.

“They were impressed that we’ve worked in every part of the store and built our careers from the ground up," Craft said. "It made the award feel really personal.”

Since the win, the reaction from customers and staff has been immediate. The story appeared on the front page of the Calais Advertiser, and the stores’ Facebook pages have been flooded with comments.

“People come up to us all the time, just like they did after the IGA award,” Bob said. “We’ve had folks recognize us in restaurants, people we’ve never met. It’s humbling to see how proud everyone is.”

From Awards to Real-World Results

For Craft and Pike, the awards have done more than just bring attention. They have had a measurable business impact.

“When we remodeled the Orono store, we expected to see a lift in sales right away, but it didn’t happen immediately,” Craft said. “The store looked brand new, the equipment was efficient, our light bill was cut in half, but sales were flat. Then we won IGA Retailer of the Year, and that changed everything. The publicity really put us on the map. People started noticing us in a new way.”

That recognition has carried through into this year’s Maine Family Business Award.

“After the Maine win, we saw another uptick,” Craft said. “It’s incredible how these things connect. You realize that awards like this aren’t just plaques on the wall. They really influence perception, build trust, and bring people in the door.”

Even their Calais location, which faced a tough summer with construction and a temporary drop in cross-border Canadian traffic, has rebounded.

“We were down about 20% over the summer,” Craft explained. “Then the Canadian tariffs lifted, the road construction wrapped up, and right after the award we were only down 2%. It’s a huge difference.”

A Win Shared by the Whole Team

While Craft and Pike appreciate the financial boost, what means most to them is the pride it brings to their team.

“Our employees were thrilled,” Craft said. “They’re the ones who make it all happen. For the IGA award, that was really their win. For the Family Business Award, that’s more about David and me and the journey we’ve had. But we couldn’t have done any of it without them.”

Many of the employees in Calais have worked there for decades, some for more than 35 years.

“A lot of the full-timers actually trained us when we were kids,” Craft said. “They’re still here, and that’s what makes our stores special. We’ve got that kind of loyalty. You can’t buy it, and you can’t fake it.”

The stores have made sure to celebrate the achievement publicly, though in a way that stays true to their humble approach.

“We don’t want to sound like we’re bragging,” Craft said. “But you also can’t keep it quiet. It’s something your community should share in.”

After the IGA award, they put a banner on the front page of their weekly flyer for a month and decorated both stores with signage. They’ve done the same for the Maine Family Business Award.

“When customers see it, they smile. It makes them proud to shop here,” Craft said. “It tells them they’re part of something that matters.”

Carrying the Momentum Forward

The recognition has also reinforced the sense of purpose that has guided Craft and Pike since the beginning.

“Awards are great, but they’re not what we set out to do,” Craft said. “They’re reminders that doing things the right way pays off. Taking care of your customers, investing in your people, staying connected to your community — that’s what matters.”

As for what’s next, Craft said they plan to keep building on that foundation.

“We’ve been busy and the summer was long, but we’re heading into the holidays strong,” he said. “We’ve gained new customers, and people are still talking about the IGA and Maine awards. That tells me we’re doing something right.”

“It’s funny,” he added, “We still see ourselves as just a couple of small-town grocers. But when you’re sitting in a room full of CEOs and national brands and they’re calling your name, you realize you’re part of something bigger. We’re proud to represent independent grocers in Maine, and we’re grateful every day for the people who make it possible.”