Henry Johnson, Jr. Receives J. Frank Grimes Award

In a momentous event at the recent FMI Mid-winter Conference in Marco Island, Florida, the Independent Grocers Alliance bestowed the prestigious J. Frank Grimes Award upon Henry Johnson Jr., the former president of W. Lee Flowers & Co.

IGA Chairman Mark Batenic and IGA CEO John Ross presented the accolade, which is considered the highest honor granted by IGA and is often referred to as the Chairman's Award. Intended to be presented in 2020, the recognition was postponed due to the pandemic. Johnson retired in 2019. 

W. Lee Flowers & Co. has served the Carolinas and Georgia as a wholesale and retail grocery company for over 102 years. In 1922, W. Lee Flowers started a wholesale grocery company with three employees. The business grew, and in the mid-1950s, he sold the business to three employees: Herbert Timmons, Heyward King, Sr., and Henry Johnson, Sr. 

"The new owners realized that to control their destiny, they needed to own their stores, so they began to build both the retail and wholesale business under the IGA brand," Batenic said. 

By the 1980s, Timmons had left the partnership to pursue other ventures and King and Johnson passed the business to their sons, Heyward King, Jr. and Henry Johnson, Jr. Under their management and new vision for the future, the company grew into the business we know today. 

King, Jr. and Johnson, Jr. increased the size of the warehouse five-fold and increased the owned store count from a handful to over 60. They expanded their reach beyond South Carolina to North Carolina and Georgia while expanding their offerings from dry goods to meat, produce, dairy, frozen, and even health and beauty products. By the 2000s, W. Lee Flowers was the only South Carolina-owned grocery wholesaler in the state, down from a peak of over 100.

Seeing new opportunities, Johnson created a new brand, KJ's Market IGA, which served as their introduction into larger cities and now has become the new foundation of the retail business.

In 2019, President Henry Johnson, Jr. and Chairman and CEO Heyward L. King, Jr. had led W. Lee Flowers for over 80 years combined. It was time to retire, and they decided that Alex Lee, Inc. would acquire the business. 

“When Henry and his partner Heyward King, Jr. decided to sell, they only talked to one company: Alex Lee,” Batenic said. “They wanted the business they built up to stay within the IGA family and with a family-owned business. At the time of the sale, Henry and Heyward owned 50 of the 120 IGA stores they served.”

This strategic move not only showcased their dedication to the IGA community but also solidified the continuity of their legacy within the familial IGA network.

Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Johnson always maintained a modest demeanor. However, he emerged as a fierce advocate for independent retailers, attributing much of their success to the support and guidance provided by IGA.

At the Friends Dinner of the FMI's Mid-winter Conference, Johnson's impactful remarks resonated with over 350 attendees. The room erupted into applause, punctuated by not one but two standing ovations. The first, a gesture of appreciation when the award was presented, and the second, a heartfelt acknowledgment after Johnson shared his reflections, speaking passionately from the heart.

"Henry Johnson is the ultimate gentleman. He has positively impacted the industry with his leadership for many years, and I have been fortunate to learn from him," said Alex Lee, Inc. President, Chairman, and CEO Brian George. "He welcomed me into the industry and willingly shared his knowledge. I am honored to be able to continue to grow the business he devoted his career to with W. Lee Flowers and the retail stores."

Earning the J. Frank Grimes Award is a testament to Johnson's dedication, legacy, and commitment to fostering a sense of community within the realm of independent retailers.