OUTSTANDING RETAILERS OF 2010 

Specialty Food Magazine and the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) present the six Outstanding Retailers of 2010, as nominated and selected by the members of the NASFT. Members are asked to nominate stores based upon the qualities of a successful specialty food establishment such as uniqueness, product knowledge and customer service, and each of these award-winning operations from across the U.S. epitomizes these traits. There’s a specialty food store and creamery that uses a rooftop herb garden and beehives for preparation of its chef-quality prepared foods and ice creams. There’s an 18-store supermarket chain with an obsession for freshness that’s led it to create branded programs for its perishables. There’s a single-unit market and bistro whose owner developed his love of cheese into an establishment that holds its own while surrounded by mega-retailers. And those are just a few.

This year’s winners are merchants who share a passion for premium food, service and a loyalty to their customers and their community. Read on to learn about their points of distinction and innovative features and programs, as well as the background of how they built their stores into the award-winning operations they are today.

BI-RITE MARKET

Year Opened: 1964
Type of Business: Free-standing specialty food store
Outstanding Features: Local products, sustainable practices, chef-quality prepared foods, rooftop herb garden and beehives; 18 Reasons nonprofit organization
Contact: Sam Mogannam, 415.241.9760; biritemarket.com

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SPEC’S WINE, SPIRITS AND FINER FOODS

Year Opened: 1962
Type of Business: Wine, spirits and specialty foods chain
Outstanding Features: Pioneer in warehouse liquor store concept, 15,000-square-foot wine and liquor section, 95-foot beer cooler, extensive deli and cheese selection, Spec’s Charitable Foundation
Contact: John Rydman; 713.526. 8787; specsonline.com

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HUBBELL AND HUDSON MARKET AND BISTRO

Year Opened: 2008
Type of Business: Free-standing specialty market, full-service bistro, Viking cooking school  
Outstanding Features: Bistro, Viking cooking school, free-flow retail concept, Beer Alley, Sip & Shop program
Contact: Cary Attar, hubbellandhudson.com

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THE SANDY BUTLER

Year Opened: 2006
Type of Business: Free-standing specialty market/restaurant
Outstanding Features: Restaurant, Growing wholesale business, Catering & Private Dining
Contact: Jason Nelson, 239.482.6765, sandybutler.com

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MARION STREET CHEESE MARKET

Year Opened: 2004
Type of Business: Downtown urban/suburban specialty food, deli, bistro, wine, beer and cheese shop.
Outstanding Features: Artisan cheese, wine bar, bistro, customer-funded expansion, ZingTrain customer service training
Contact: Eric Larsen, marionstreetcheesemarket.com 

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Roche Bros.

Year opened: 1952
Type of Business: Chain specialty supermarket with 18 locations 
Outstanding Features: Freshness standards, branded sustainable seafood program, Hans Kissle brand
Contact: Robyn McNamara, 781.235.3153, rochebros.com

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Honorable Mentions

Congratulations to the following seven retailers, who were runners up in this year’s competition:

More about the competition:

This annual program honors leading specialty food retailers who are nominated by NASFT members. A panel of members, consisting of manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers, review the Finalists and select the Winners. Winners are presented with gold statues at the Summer Fancy Food Show, receive extensive publicity in their local media and are featured in the June issue of Specialty Food Magazine.