Specialty Food Magazine and the NASFT are honored to present the five Outstanding Retailers of 2006, as nominated and selected by the 2,390 members of the NASFT. From a serene solar-powered store in California to a bustling Manhattan institution, from a retailer born in the narrow and tough streets of south Philly to a market just steps from the glamour of Miami Beach, these outstanding retailers are serving an ever-increasing niche of consumers who have made quality food a part of their lifestyle.
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Straub's Markets:
A Second Century of Service
To thrive for more than a century, an establishment needs to retain solid footing while keeping pace with the times. Such is the case with 105-year-old, family-run St. Louis grocery and specialty food chain Straub’s Markets.
The initial store was opened in 1901 by William A. Straub, a grocer renown for his prime meats, which have remained a hallmark of the company and served as an impetus for future retooling. To survive in the increasingly competitive supermarket arena, Straub’s rebuilt its niche at its four locations. Encouraged by fourth-generation family member Jack W. (Trip) Straub, III, each store underwent significant renovations and remodeling with an emphasis on specialty.
“We worked to bring our other departments up to the same high standard as meat,” Straub explains. High-end wines were brought in and full kitchens were added to meet the area’s growing demand for restaurant-quality prepared foods, which today encompass nearly one-fifth of sales. Bakery and produce departments were also upgraded. The result of the reinvention: Sales have doubled over the past eight years.
The specialty focus harkens back to Straub’s origins. In the 1920s, the retailer was the source in St. Louis where customers could request elusive items such as the era’s chocolate-covered ant and grasshopper novelties. Today, many of Straub’s 20,000 items are upscale, but “we are also a full-service grocery,” Straub points out. The stores average about 12,000 square feet, but offer all of the categories found in larger supermarkets. “Our niche is in offering the best quality and freshest products within those departments,” he continues.
The merchant’s reputation has also been built on the quality of its customer service. The chain still focuses on small-town touches like offering house accounts. Longtime staff plays a significant role in setting the tone.
The retailer has no plans to stand still in its second century of service: Expansion is the next step. Notes Straub, “We are looking closely at two locations that would help to solidify our position as St. Louis’s destination for food lovers.” Contact: Trip Straub, Straub’s Markets, 8282 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.725.2121; Fax: 314.725.2123; trip@straubs.com; www.straubs.com.—D.P.
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