WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Shaw’s Supermarkets is kicking off its 150th anniversary celebration this month.
“At 150 years old, Shaw’s is the oldest supermarket in New England, and our longevity is directly related to the loyalty and passion of our associates to satisfy our customers,” Shaw’s President Mike Witynski said in a statement.
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“In honor of our 150th we are putting banners in all of our stores with only two words: ‘Thank You,’ ” he continued. “Those two words are directed to our customers who have supported us and remained loyal to us over the years – and for that we are humbly grateful.”
The supermarket has planned a number of promotions to mark the anniversary, including appearances by Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and the Pillsbury Dough Boy, open houses, cooking demonstrations and tours. Shaw’s will also donate $150,000 to food banks in the region.
Shaw’s was founded by George C. Shaw in Portland, Maine, in 1860, on the eve of the Civil War. It was bought in 1919 by the Brockton Public Markets chain founded by Maynard A. Davis in Brockton, Mass., and New Bedford. The two companies merged operations as Shaw’s in 1979.
Today there are 176 Shaw’s Supermarkets in five New England states, including 12 in Rhode Island. The company sold its Connecticut stores earlier this year.
Shaw’s has been part of a number of larger companies in recent years. It was owned by J Sainsbury Plc, the large British grocery chain, from 1987 until 2004, when Albertson’s Inc. of Boise, Idaho, bought it for $2.5 billion as Sainsbury gave up on the U.S. market.
Two years later Shaw’s was purchased again, this time by Supervalu Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minn., which still owns the chain.
Stop & Shop is a subsidiary of Royal Ahold NV, which is based in The Netherlands. Almacs, the last large grocery chain based in Rhode Island, disappeared in 1995.
Additional information is available at shaws.com.
How Shaws has stayed in business for 150 years is beyond me. Those doors should have closed once Craig Herkert came on board. If George Shaw knew what was going on with the business, he would be rolling in his grave to think that Mr. Herkert’s actions of cororate greed is at the expense of its associates. You would not be where you are today if it were not for the loyalty of all associates within the company. SHAME ON YOU, MR. HERKERT.
“At 150 years old, Shaw’s is the oldest supermarket in New England, and our longevity is directly related to the loyalty and passion of our associates to satisfy our customers,” So Mr. Witynski , why is it that you and Judy Chong are sending Shaw’s associates to the streets if they are loyal in satisfying customers? Isn’t that what you want?? Could it be CORPORATE GREED!!!!