Big Y celebrated its 90th anniversary July 30 at its 650 Memorial Drive store in Chicopee, Massachusetts, bringing together state and local leaders, community partners, employees and customers to mark nine decades of serving families in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The event honored the company’s beginnings in Chicopee, where brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour founded the business in 1936.
Event speakers wide-ranging
Nicole D’Amour Schneider, SVP of retail operations and customer experience, opened the program with welcome remarks. Charlie D’Amour, executive chairman, followed with reflections on the resilience and energy that fueled Big Y’s growth and shaped the family’s legacy. Steven Silva, co-owner and co-president of Bernardino’s Bakery, spoke about the longstanding relationship between the two family-owned companies.
Congressman Richard Neal recalled the Y neighborhood where Big Y’s first store opened, recognized the company’s philanthropic efforts from the Great Depression through today and praised the third and fourth generations of the D’Amour family for carrying forward the founders’ vision.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared a statement in recognition of the anniversary, noting that Big Y reflects “the very best of what Massachusetts businesses can be: community-minded, hardworking and committed to giving back.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll highlighted Big Y’s contributions to Massachusetts communities and the state’s economy. “For 90 years, Big Y has been a staple in Massachusetts, feeding families, supporting local farms and creating jobs. Not only do they continue to grow in Massachusetts, but they’re giving back too,” Driscoll said. “Big Y has donated millions of meals to food banks across our state, and when severe flooding devastated the region a couple of years ago, they stepped up big time for our Farm Resilience Fund to help farmers get back on their feet.”
Mayor John Vieau presented an official proclamation honoring the anniversary and Big Y’s contributions to the City of Chicopee. “Big Y is the epitome of the entrepreneurial success story that began right here in the Willimansett section of Chicopee,” Vieau said. “While the company has grown to serve communities across Massachusetts and Connecticut, each store continues to reflect the family-owned, neighborhood spirit that has defined Big Y for 90 years.”
Local partners recognized
Four Chicopee-based partners that have helped shape Big Y’s local offerings joined the celebration: Bernardino’s Bakery, Chicopee Provisions Co./Blue Seal, Millie’s Pierogi and Sweet Babu Granola. The event highlighted the company’s commitment to bringing locally produced products to customers throughout the region.
Michael D’Amour, president and CEO, closed the program. “As we celebrate Big Y’s 90th anniversary, we’re honored to do so in Chicopee, where our story began in 1936,” he said. “We are grateful to our customers, team members, local partners, elected officials and everyone who has been part of our journey. This celebration is a tribute to our roots, our shared success and the relationships that have helped Big Y grow for nine decades.
“While we are proud of our history, we’re equally excited about the future and the opportunity to serve generations to come.”
Attendees gathered for a ceremonial cake cutting, photo opportunities and media interviews to mark the milestone.
Big Y Foods Inc. is a family-owned supermarket chain with 94 stores and more than 10,000 employees operating supermarkets, Table & Vine fine wine, beer and liquor and Big Y Express fuel and convenience locations across the Northeast. The company takes its name from an intersection in Chicopee where two roads converge to form a Y.