Foothills IGA Owners Leave Legacy of Exceptional Service in Community & Grocery

Pickens County residents are sure to miss the hospitality and remarkable legacy of Jeff and Sandy Downing, the former owners of Foothills IGA in Marble Hill, Georgia, who recently retired.

For the last 21 years, Foothills IGA has stood as a beacon of exceptional customer service, offering high-quality food and actively engaging with the local community. To honor this commitment, the Independent Grocers Alliance recently presented Jeff and Sandy Downing with the esteemed "Spirit of IGA Award."

This accolade celebrates the Downings’ significant contributions to their community and remarkable achievement in becoming an outstanding grocery store.

The couple is now enjoying retirement after selling the store to Lowes Foods, which is owned by Alex Lee Inc. and has taken over daily operations.

“I am so thankful for the friendship and partnership that I have been able to share with Jeff and Sandy Downing,” said Lee Bowers, MDI senior director of sales – southern region. “Jeff has been a leader in our industry and has always been at the forefront of reinvestment in his store.”

IGA CEO John Ross visited Foothills IGA on Friday, September 15, 2023, to present the award in front of friends, family, and staff.

“On behalf of all 6,500 IGA stores and on behalf of everybody at IGA, we congratulate you on your retirement. When we heard the news, we were certainly so proud of the two of you,” Ross said. “After all of those long hours, now comes the opportunity to spend more time with friends and family. We're envious, we're excited for you, and we’re so proud.”

Jeff and Sandy Downing receive the Spirit of IGA Award from IGA CEO John Ross inside Foothills IGA.

“I'm honored to receive this especially on behalf of the present employees and the former employees that have worked here over the last 21 years now,” Jeff Downing said as he received the award. “It's been an honor to be part of that family.”

Foothills IGA is known for outstanding performance. In 2015, Jeff Downing and Foothills IGA were named IGA International Retailer of the Year. The store has also received IGA’s Five Star status multiple times.

“The good news is the store is going to be well taken care of by someone who's already part of the IGA family. [Alex Lee Inc. and MDI] are incredible strategic partners and some of the best people in the industry,” Ross said.

A Longtime Grocer

Downing started working in the grocery industry in high school and married Sandy during his freshman year in college. When he was 21, he realized his graduating friends were entering the workforce with modest salaries, while he was already earning significantly more in the grocery business. This revelation marked the beginning of his decision to forge a lasting career in the industry.

In ten years, Downing held 17 positions with Colonial Stores and then Grand Union when they acquired Colonial in 1978. This provided a diverse range of experiences from operations to financial. At 32 years old, he became the youngest VP at Grand Union Company in New Jersey, which operated A&P banner stores in the Southeast.

A&P acquired Grand Unions’ Southern Region in 1993 and promoted Downing to Group VP over the then 142 stores in seven Southeastern states, primarily in Georgia, North, and South Carolina.

In 1996, Downing resigned to become an independent grocer. He opened his first store in North Carolina in 1997, commuting from the Atlanta area a few times a week to visit the store.

By 2002, Jeff and Sandy had relocated to Big Canoe to open Foothills IGA. Sandy retired from her career as a registered nurse to focus on the store, where she created a floral and gift shop from scratch, learning the ropes from a mentor and familiarizing herself with wholesalers and flower suppliers.

Friends, family, and staff pose with the Downings in front of the Foothills IGA.

IGA From Day 1

Downing has been an IGA member since opening his first store in 1997, finding value in the brand and programs offered to single-store operators.

“IGA provided brand recognition, private label merchandise, and at that time an insurance package for employees,” Downing said. “MDI, my preferred primary supplier, was an LDC of IGA. Thus, I participated in their ad group, which was important for a one store independent.”

He said many of the IGA programs have been beneficial for his store, but if asked to pick his favorite, it is the IGA Coca Cola Institute, which helped train his employees.

“IGA provides many of the needed tools to compete in a very competitive industry,” Downing said. “From the training programs to signage packages, to IGA-branded products, or the opportunity to learn from fellow retailers at the annual conference or to find inspiration to be the best you can be in serving communities and associates that make you successful – IGA excels.”

Downing has left quite the impact in both grocery and his community. In 2014, Downing was named the Pickens County Citizen of the Year. In 2015, the Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) presented him with their Legacy Award. Throughout his career, Downing has served in leadership roles in the Rotary Club, Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, Hope House, and the Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, aiding the community well beyond the role of local grocer.

As Jeff and Sandy Downing begin to enjoy retirement, their legacy of exceptional service in both the grocery industry and the community shines brightly.

For more information on Jeff and Sandy Downing's legacy, see this profile from The Shelby Report.