Mollie Stone’s Receives ‘Visionary’ Award

SAN FRANCISCO — Mollie Stone's, which runs nine supermarkets here, was the recipient of the 2012 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award from Unified Grocers at its EXPO food show recently.

The award, named after a former chairman of the board of Unified Grocers, is given annually to an independent grocer regarded as a leader and innovator in the retail grocery industry. To be eligible, retailers must be — or have been — a member of Unified Grocers or one of its predecessor companies.

Photo: Al Plamann (far right), chief executive officer, Unified Grocers, presents the award to Dave Bennett (far left) and Mike Stone (third from left), owners of Mollie Stone's Markets. Also pictured is Ben Schwartz.

In presenting the award, Plamann cited the contributions of Mollie Stone's owners, Dave Bennett and Mike Stone. "[Their] passion toward customers and retailing is clearly evident as you walk through their stores," Plamann said. "Every aisle is neat and immaculate, produce is stacked perfectly and also in a way that accents its bright colors; the meat, seafood and bakery departments feature artwork-like displays of mouthwatering products that are literally begging to be purchased; and a fully stocked wine department includes well-trained experts and helpful information that enables you to make the right selection or pair it with the food you've purchased.

"Innovation and quality are central to the success of Mollie Stone's and that's why their customers come back to their stores year after year after year."