Shopping Spree
Led by DEREK BURNSTAD, a merry band of shoppers spent $13,000 in 60 minutes buying toys from the Mattel Toy Distribution Center to be distributed later in the day to customers at Burnstad's Markets in Tomah, Black River Falls and Richland Center. Event sponsors included Klements Sausage Company, 7up Bottling Company, Old Dutch, Pan O Gold Baking Company, Preferred Distributors and Magnum Broadcasting. $30,000 has been raised over the past 3 years touching over 450 families during a very rough/tight time of the year.
Derek said, "What an honor it has been to keep this foundation alive and growing the past 3 years. This was an event that we all started 3 years ago with hopes to purchase a couple bag full's of toys each year and hand deliver them to area food banks, shelters, etc. It has now grown to a van load valued at $13,000 annually. Truly remarkable - my hat goes off to everyone that has played a role in helping Burnstad's Market grow this event."
Click here to download an MP3 (audio) file to hear the radio spot.
Gordy’s County Market Repeats with Main Street Award
The Gordy’s County Market team has done it again! They brought home the Main Street Award for “Best Float by a Downtown Business” in the Chippewa Falls Bridge to Wonderland Parade which was held on a snowy and beautiful Saturday night in early December.
The theme for this year was “Irvine Park During Christmas” so the Gordy’s marketing team decided it would put together a Gingerbread House. With the help of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, a miniature Gingerbread House was brought to life, decorated, and showcased to more than 5,000 people who came to watch the parade. Congratulations on a job well done!
A Community "thank you"
Long known for his interest and contributions to the community of Rio, MARK WATTERS, owner of Mark's Market, was surprised with a "gift" from his friends and neighbors, in appreciation for everything he has done over the years for the local schools, churches and the elderly. Click here to see the full story.
Fresh Madison Market
Fresh Is Mobile Progressive Grocer reports that Fresh Madison Market, in partnership with Meriter Health Services and Physicians Plus, revealed plans for its "Freshmobile," a mobile grocery store on wheels that will be stocked with healthy food choices including fresh produce and other grocery items. The Freshmobile will travel throughout Dane County to serve neighborhoods that do not have access to fresh food or a supermarket within walking distance, also known as "food deserts." The inside of the 34-foot trailer will be set up like a mini grocery store with shelves stocked with 200+ essential grocery fare: dairy, boxed grocery items and a huge selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Bringing healthy food choices to lower income neighborhoods has been a longtime goal of JEFF MAURER, owner of Fresh Madison Market in Madison based on his work with the local Boys and Girls Club and other organizations. "The thing that really concerns me is that there are a lot of fast-food choices in these areas but really none that offer fresh produce and vegetables. I want to change that with the Freshmobile and bring healthy choices to these communities in a convenient and affordable way," said Maurer.
Festival Foods Open House
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
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| Mark Skogen | Dave Skogen |
Here We Grow Again The Skogen family celebrated opening their 16th location in the Village Market Center in La Crosse on Thursday evening and officially opened for business on 11/11/11. DAVE SKOGEN celebrated his 55th anniversary with the company and recognized his father for making the decision to go into the grocery business. MARK SKOGEN recognized a great new team which includes 170 previous Quillin Foods employees at this location. PHIL QUILLIN welcomed Festival Foods to the Village Center. KEN KRAMER, TCI Architechts, Engineers, Contractors Inc. was recognized for a great job well done on the project.
Click here for more photos on Facebook.
Sendik's Open House
Grocers of the Years
A Perfect 10 Sendik's Food Market opened in West Bend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and store opening. Part of the Balistreri owned and operated - "Red Bag" - Sendik's Food Markets, this is the tenth location for the group owned and operated by brothers NICK, PATRICK and TED BALISTRERI and sister MARGARET HARRIS. "We look forward to being a partner in the community and providing the best grocery shopping experience, period," said Nick Balistreri. The store will add 130 new jobs to the area. Boasting energy efficient cooler cases, motion sensory lights, energy recapture mechanisms to heat sidewalks, among other things, the revitalized building that houses the new store may be the most energy efficient and technologically advanced grocery store in the Midwest. "We are very proud of the energy savings we have been able to achieve with this store design," added Nick Balistreri. One of the new features is the including a 'glycol loop', where energy can be directed under the sidewalks to prevent ice or snow build up and alleviates the need for someone to clear the walk for the whole mall as well as loading docks which means no salt needed and no ice chop.
Grocer of the Year x4 Congratulating the Balistreri family on their new location and attending the Sendik's West Bend Open House were four WGA Grocers of the year. Trig Solberg, T.A. Solberg (1998 Grocer of the Year); Salvatore 'Ted' Balistreri (father of 2009 Grocers of the Year); George Prescott, formerly Prescott Supermarkets (1992 Grocer of the Year); and Lee Guenther, T.A. Solberg (2010 Grocer of the Year).
WGA Board Members: Dave Ryman, Certco and Nick Balistreri, Sendik's, at Sendik's Open House.
See more photos of the Sendik's Grand Opening at Facebook. Click here.
Hy-Vee Veterans Day Breakfast
Vets Day Hy-Vee stores throughout the Midwest will offered free breakfast for veterans on Veterans Day. Acording to Madison's Store Manager ROB BUDD, they do a nice breakfast buffet and pour refill coffee in the dining room while mingling with the vets. He says the while Madison may not have the hoopla of some stores, it is one of the busiest breakfasts of all the Hy-Vee stores in the company and so the associates devote all of their time making sure that there is enough food and coffee to meet the demands to make it as smooth as possible. Last year Rob was on coffee detail for 4 hours straight! Rob also notes, "We also honor our first responders and military everyday by offering our employee meal discount in the food court departments to those in uniform."
Warm Winter Coat Drive
Making A Difference
Word comes from GREG MYERS at Palermo's about the successful coat drive Palermo's did with Festival Foods working together to help homeless and less fortunate people. The Salvation Army Office on Eau Claire noted that thanks to the coat drive sponsored by Palermo's abnd Festival Foods, the SA has filled their storeroom with coats, hats, boots, gloves, and other warm gear. The SA made at least 8 to 10 pickups from just from the Eau Claire Festival store. The Salvation Army says it is very appreciative of the difference this coat drive has made in the community.
Store #3
Metcalfe's Market is acquiring the CUB Foods West Towne store in Madison. "This is extremely exciting for Metcalfe's," said TIM METCALFE, co-owner of Metcalfe's Market. "Shoppers are telling us they want more fresh, locally-produced foods. This expansion will increase our customers' access to those foods and benefit our community as a whole." The old store will close on January 11th and open on January 12th under the Metcalfe's banner. "It's going to be a miracle marathon transformation with all hands on deck working through the night to open as 'Metcalfe's' and beginning a new chapter in our growing business," said Metcalfe. The new Metcalfe's will remain open during renovations, with plans to be completed by November of next year. "We are looking forward to renovating the space," commented Kevin Metcalfe, co-owner. "It will be everything you would expect from a Metcalfe's with some exciting refinements." Approximately 150 people will be employed at the store with former employees able to apply for positions at the two Madison area stores. Metcalfe put the announcement out on his Facebook page as well as the traditional press release format to media outlets.
Before and after photos
Redmond announces completion of Save-A-Lot refaçade
The Redmond Company is pleased to announce the completion of the refaçade of Save-A-Lot located at the corner of 76th and Mill Road in Milwaukee. The approximately 110 linear foot exterior refaçade project was designed to maximize the store’s signage as well as create a more prominent entry point that gives Save-A-Lot a greater presence within the retail center. The project consisted of new masonry columns, EIFS signage band, lighting, and entry monument.
“The process to secure the site in the Taylor Heights Shopping Center was a lengthy process, but we’re confident that this location is right for us. Everyone – from the builders to our team Festival Foods associates – pulled together and created a beautiful store. We are excited to be open and serving the community of Sheboygan.” -Mark Skogen, CEO and President, Skogen’s Festival Foods
New Festival Foods Store
Festival Foods will open a new 71,000-square-foot supermarket in the Taylor Heights Shopping Center on Friday, becoming the De Pere-based chain's first store in Sheboygan County. "The process to secure the site in the Taylor Heights Shopping Center was a lengthy process, but we're confident that this location is right for us. Everyone - from the builders to our team Festival Foods associates - pulled together and created a beautiful store. We are excited to be open and serving the community of Sheboygan," said MARK SKOGEN, CEO and President, Skogen's Festival Foods.
The Festival Foods store, which will employ 237 people and be open 24 hours a day, will carry about 50,000 food items, including fresh sushi, salad and other prepared foods. The store also will offer free child care for customers and feature one of the largest natural foods selections and meat and deli areas among the chain's 16 stores. JEFF CALDER of General Beverage attended the Grand Opening. "It was a wonderful reception for local dignitaries, contractors, vendors, and key employees. The bright, airy store features new color schemes, a circular deli area, and a multitude of energy saving cooler and freezer doors."
Thank You!
The WGA's Board of Directors extends a huge thank you to Valley Bakers Copperative Association for hosting the WGA's 3rd Quarter Board of Directors meeting in Greenville. VB's CEO MARK MUNROE, VP'S RICH WISE and RANDY FLESCH were on had for a facility tour and a company presentation. A special thanks JULIE VOSTERS for taking care of all the details and making the Board was well taken care of though out the day.