Exceptional Independents Awards, Feb. 1-3
The Exceptional Independents Awards (EIA) honor the independent U.S. grocery operators whose innovation, dedication, and community leadership set them apart. Presented by Shelby Publishing, this annual program recognizes those who embody the spirit of independent grocery — resilient, customer-focused, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Our unique and beautiful red crystal awards representing the blood sweat and tears of every independent grocer.
60+ Independent Grocerrs gather to receive their recognition
Independent grocer gather and wait for the opening of the ceremony
Awards positioned to be distributed to the grocers
Caroline Catoe President ECRS
Caroline Catoe President ECRS
Caroline Catoe President ECRS
Brian McGregor, Owner Archie's IGA, Saint Maries, ID
Jose Huerta, President & CEO Big Saver Foods, Vernon CA.
Michael Donkin, Director, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City , KY
Jennifer Goodell, Manager Daily Deals Food Outlet, Marne, MI
Justin Steffen, Owner, Dave's Supermarket, Fairbury, IL
Donna Zambo, VP Allegiance Retail Services, LLC, Iselin, NJ
Jeff Fackler Director, Karns Quality Foods, Mechanicsburg, PA
AAron, Mike, Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone's Markets Mill Valley CA.
Blaine Broussard, Owner, Broussard's Supermarket Inc, Youngsville, LA
Kit Okimoto, CFO Walanae Store, Waianae, HI.
Nicholas Bohman & Kevin Bohman, Pride Family Markets, Hanover, IN
Joe Anzaldo, Director, Rudy's Markets Inc, Bend OR
Craig St Pierre, Owner St Pierre Supermarket, St AMant, LA
Michael Tyson, CMMO, Strack & Van Til, Highland, IN
Teloloapan Meat Market, Estefania & Jennifer Ayala
Michael Nelson, President Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace, Melville, NY
Robert Wood & Kelly Gutzwiller, Owners of Versailles IGA Versailles IN
Kristin Popp, Vice President Woodman's Food Market, Janesville WI
LOC Software Stephan Mercier is the founder, President, and CTO of LOC Software
LOC Software Stephan Mercier is the founder, President, and CTO of LOC Software
Patsi Trotter, Director B&R Stores Inc. Lincoln NE
Brooks, & Lisa Davis, Owner, Tyler Davis, Director of Brooks Grocery, Red Bay, AL
Jose Luis Guzman Paredes, Manager Camino A Verte Supermarket LLC, McAllen , TX
Chad Weinzerl, Costentino's Food Stores, Kansas City KS
William Burns, Owner Grocery Basket
Manuel Sauceda, Director Jons Marketplace
Christopher Kinsley, Owner, Kinsley's Shop Rite, Broadsheadsville, PA
Ricky Dow, Manager, KJ's Market, Lake City , SC
Daphne Lamendola, Owner, Lavendola's Supermarket, Gonzales, LA
Matt corbin, Director Lowes Market,, Littlefield, TX
Tehya Pangelinan, Alyssa Leon Guerrero, Jesruel Segovia, Payless Markets Inc. Hagatna, GU
Pedro Mesa, Sedano's Supermarket
Nate Weitz, VP Trig's, Minocqua, WI
C & S Wholesale Grocers Alona Florenz EVP Chief Commercial and Corporate Development Officer C&S Family of Companies; Amy McClennan CEO Spartan Nash,
Russel & Stephanie Burkholder, Owner, Burkholders Country Market, Spring Mills PA
Mike Tarloff, C&S Wholesale
Brandon Pasch, Spartan Nash, Grand Rapids, MI
Christine Curtis, C&S Wholesale
Tim Bosma, COO, Jennifer Bosma, VP Harvest Market, Fort Bragg, CA
Ken Fuchigami, Vice President KTA Super Stores, HILO HI
Bridget Grabowski, VP General Manager Houston Region, C&S Wholesale Grocers
Bill Caldwell, McCay's Markets
Samantha Oleson-Hansen, Director Oleson's Food Stores, Byron Center, MI
Jason Schrimsher, C&S Wholesale Grocers
Mark & Brenda Lois, Owners Lois Family Piggly Wiggly, Kenosha , WI
Douglas Preston, Owner Union Grove Piggly Wiggly, Union Grove, WI
Bridget Grabowski, C&S Wholesale, accepting for a retailer
Matt Parker, Dir Field Sales & Merchandising, Spartan Nash Company, Byron Center MI
Lauren Redman, President and CEO Rudy's Markets Inc. Bend Oregon
Dirk Stricklin, President CEO of Savers Cost Plus, Irving TX
Sean Schulke and Matt Ladnier, Houchens Food Group, INC Wiggins, MS
Alfredo Lopez, Maria Guadallupe Lopez, Owner with Lorena Lopez, Arteaga's Food Center, Gilroy, CA
Troy Wolfe, C&S Wholesale
Teloloapan Meat Market, Porter TX
Cliff Rigsbee & Mari Sunderlin, Rosauers Supermarkets Inc, Spokane WA
Andrew & Amanda Costello, Owners Bradford General Store, Bradford ME