2017Issue6_Alabama_v9.indd

AGA NEWS

manager, director of operations and executive vice president.

in Vidalia, Georgia as a produce selector and loading trucks for delivery. In 1988, Piggly Wiggly Vidalia was sold to RFS out of

Market. “It means everything to us, to be a family serving the communities we live in.” While brick and mortar has been the main source of their business for the past 20 years, Renfroe’s Market will soon be venturing into the digital space with “Renfroe’s Ready to Go,” which will allow customers to order online and pick up their groceries without setting foot in the store. In addition, the upcoming new year will see announcements from the company as to new markets and communities they will be entering in the near future. Renfroe's Market celebrated their 20th anniversary in each of their stores with a week-long customer appreciation sale that ran October 18th-24th. commodities and works with the Piggly Wiggly operators on a daily basis. Delma learned his dedicated work ethic from his father. He always told him no matter what, do what you say you are going to do, show up and give it all you got. Growing up in Lyons, Georgia on his grandparent’s farm gave him a great insight to a hard day’s work and he has taken these life lessons to heart. Over the years he has earned the respect from the co-ops and his co-workers. His knowledge of grocery procurement has made him a great ambassador for the Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company and the grocery industry. When asked what winning this award means to him, Delma replied “It tells me a lot of independent operator respect the job the employees are doing at PWADC.”

A tradition began 20 years ago when the Renfroe family took ownership of their first store, McGehee Road Super Foods, in Montgomery, Alabama. Throughout the years, the Renfroe family has built a reputation of excellent customer service, competitive pricing, store cleanliness and product freshness. In 2008, the Renfroe family opened their second location in Dadeville Alabama under the banner Dadeville Foodland. They opened their third and largest location on Eastchase Parkway in Montgomery, Alabama, in October of 2014. Throughout the years Renfroe’s Market has enjoyed national and local praise in the form of being named the best grocery store Early in his career with Western he set a goal for himself, to be president. In 2007, that goal was achieved when he was named President/Chief Operating Officer. Darwin joined the Alabama Grocers Association Board of Directors in 1998, served as Chairman in 2003, and won the Retailer of the Year award in 2004. “Coming from an organization I love and admire makes this very special. The retailers nominated are a special group and I am humbled and honored to be considered among them.” said Metcalf about winning the 2017 Retailer of the Year. Wholesaler of the Year Wholesaler of the Year is Delma Craft of Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company. Delma started in the grocery business in 1978 at Piggly Wiggly Southern

California and ran the operation until Bruno’s Supermarkets of Birmingham bought the warehouse in 1990. In 1994, Delma was relocated to Birmingham, Alabama where he was a buyer and category manager for Bruno’s. Delma went to work for Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company in September of 1998 as a grocery buyer. He worked through the ranks to his current position of Vice President & Director of Procurement. He also buys Delma Craft

RENFROE'S MARKET CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF FRESHNESS IN ALABAMA

in the state according to the The Daily Meal and repeated best of Montgomery awards voted by the readers of the Montgomery Advertiser. “In an age when so many grocery stores have become absorbed by corporate entities, we are extremely proud to be a family-owned and operated company,” said Rob Renfroe, Vice-President of Renfroe’s

13

ALABAMA GROCER |