Ali Hayton, owner of Point Roberts International Marketplace, went through a difficult 2021. When she last spoke to The Shelby Report in April of that year, she had lost a substantial amount of foot traffic and revenue due to the Canada-U.S. border closure that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. Point Roberts, a small town near […]
Category: Market Profile
For Lone Grocer In Carrabelle, ‘If The Weather’s Good, We’re Busy’
Richard Holley didn’t start his career in the grocery industry, but he has found a home there. The store manager of Gulfside IGA Plus in Carrabelle, Florida, had traveled extensively for previous jobs before he decided to settle down. A self-proclaimed military brat, Holley’s parents hailed from Panama City Beach, which is where they ended up […]
Independents In Sunshine State Not Immune To Workforce Issues
Florida’s economy continues to be “very robust” and the state legislature recently approved a budget of about $109 billion while “still banking an additional $11 billion in reserves,” said Lorena Holley, VP and general counsel with the Florida Retail Federation. “More specific to the food industry in Florida, our grocers have generally retained a good […]
Village Beach Market In Vero Beach Striving To Be ‘Simply Better’
Village Beach Market in Vero Beach, Florida, is a three-generation legacy of the Keen family. Jason Keen runs it, having taken over after his father, Jerry, died three years ago. His grandfather started the business in 1951, and Jerry Keen took the reins when he was 20. “He lost his dad when he was only […]
Pyburn’s Farm Fresh Foods Has Become Houston Area Institution
Pyburn’s Farm Fresh Foods on Fondren Road in Houston plans to celebrate the store’s 10th anniversary this year with some renovations and by showing appreciation to the community. Loan Couch, general manager, is among the family members who oversee one of the 11 Pyburn’s stores. Nine of them are in Houston, while the other two […]
CFA Leader Says Labor Shortages Biggest Challenge For Food Retailers
The economy in Connecticut appears to be lagging behind the U.S. average, and a lack of fiscal discipline at the state and local levels continues to be an issue. According to the “2021 Report on Business Climate by State” produced by the Tax Foundation, Connecticut’s business climate is ranked 47th in the U.S. and has […]
Fresh Foods Specialty Grocer Finds Niche Along The Coast
For independent grocer Jon Welsh, serving customers and the community are what he loves most about his job. Welsh owns and operates Fresh Foods specialty grocery stores in Cannon Beach and Manzanita, along the Oregon coast. While the IGA affiliate stores do a robust business during tourist season, Welsh said the rest of the year […]
Employees, Community Remain Essential To LaBonne’s Markets
From butchers to business owners, LaBonne’s Markets in Connecticut is six generations strong. A timeline on its website marks the milestones: George LaBonne had a small market and delivered on his horse and buggy in 1900; his son, George Jr., also a butcher, worked with his father until the 1920s when he, his wife and […]
