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Coborn’s marks 100th year in business

‘Deals of the Century’ to lead off yearlong celebration campaign

Russell Redman

April 9, 2021

3 Min Read
Coborns historical store photo-100th anniversary-2021.png
Coborn's got its start with the opening of a store in Sauk Rapids, Minn., in 1921 and then expanded over the ensuing decades as the grocery retail industry evolved.Coborn's

Regional grocer Coborn’s turns 100 in 2021 and plans to celebrate the milestone with special events and promotions throughout the year.

St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn’s said yesterday it plans to kick off its 100th anniversary campaign on April 11, starting with “Deals of the Century” in-store savings. Also planned are special appreciation events, employee activities, a recipe exchange, and a special commemorative website with content highlighting the history of Coborn’s — including a timeline — since its founding in 1921.

Currently, Coborn’s has nearly 9,500 employees and 59 supermarkets stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Hornbacher’s banners. The company’s retail network also includes stand-alone convenience stores, liquor stores and pharmacies, for a total of about 130 outlets. Coborn’s operates its own central bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center.

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Current Coborn's Chairman, President and CEO Chris Coborn is part of the family-owned chain's fourth-generation of leadership.

“2020 was a challenging year for all of us as we dealt with the ongoing challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented,” fourth-generation Chairman, President and CEO Chris Coborn said in a statement. “But since the company was founded back in 1921 by my great-grandfather, the company has stood the test of time through many difficulties.”

Related:Digital customer engagement on the upswing at Coborn’s

Chester R. Coborn, town mayor and known as “Happy Coborn,” opened the first Coborn’s Inc. grocery store in the landmark Bell Building in Sauk Rapids, Minn., in 1921. He had previously operated feed, mercantile and grocery stores that he closed. Then in 1925, Coborn’s moved to a marquee location on Broadway Avenue in Sauk Rapids and brought produce — at the time traditionally a separate business — into the grocery store.

During its first two decades, Coborn’s expanded in size and selection, driven by economic necessity and a commitment to innovation, the retailer said. The third generation of family members — brothers Bob, Dan, Bill and Ron Coborn — began a significant expansion of the supermarket chain in the 1970s and 1980s, when changes in the grocery industry focused on providing customers with more convenient shopping services. The independent grocer noted that it also underwent sizable growth in the 1990s by enhancing fresh offerings, value and customer service.

The turn of the century ushered in the family’s fourth generation, with Chris Coborn becoming president in 1999 and then CEO in 2007. Coborn’s said he has fueled significant growth and change in the organization under his leadership over the past two decades. Two of his children, Emily and Peter, also are now fifth-generation leaders in the company.

Related:Coborn’s promotes Dave Meyer to chief operating officer

At its 100-year mark, Coborn’s noted that it adheres to its vision to “Be Remarkable!” The company said it remains committed to serving the communities where it operates and has donated millions of dollars, thousands of volunteer hours and numerous in-kind gifts to clubs and small nonprofits that support youth and fighting hunger. The grocer added that it also remains an industry leader through innovations in e-commerce shopping, a sophisticated customer loyalty program (MORE Rewards) and ongoing investments in stores to modernize and meet today’s consumer demands.

“Our guests, our business partners and our employees have made the difference,” Coborn added. “Through hard work,  supporting one another, and giving back to our communities, we know we can manage through the tough times and celebrate the good ones, today and in the next 100 years.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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