Food Group Names Mentor, Ohio, Grocery Store ‘Retailer of the Year’
By Brandon C. Baker, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
May 10–For many, cooking and eating is a family experience, and that theme is echoed at one local grocery store — to much success.
Having followed his father’s patterns for success, Mentor Family Foods Deli and Bakery owner P.J. Conway couldn’t hide his joy after the Cleveland Food Dealers Association recently named him “Retailer of the Year.”
“It was a humbling experience,” P.J. said. “To be recognized by your peers and people you look up to and try to emulate was a treat.”
Mentor Family Foods, 7294 Lakeshore Blvd., has been in Mentor since 1975. It was originally opened by P.J.’s father Patrick Conway III and his friend Angelo Battaglia in 1958 in Cleveland.
Now, P.J. works closely with Angelo’s son, Mike Battaglia, who serves as the store’s price maintenance engineer.
“There’s a reason we call (the store) ŒFamily,’” P.J. said.
The families also own Holzheimer’s Family Foods in Euclid.
“I wasn’t surprised that someone like P.J. got the award,” Mike Battaglia said. “He’s not the type of owner that gets in the way. He gets his hands dirty, too.”
Having been in some form of retail grocery for 44 years, P.J. knows every store must have its own niche.
“We are noted for our meat,” he said. “Anybody can sell groceries, but (selling meat) is what we do well. That’s why we’re still in business.
“A can of beans is a can of beans, but not everybody can sell quality.”
The owner believes his staff’s hard work is what ultimately sets his store apart from retail chains.
>From ground beef to steak to lamb, meat manager John Bolaney says other stores, regardless their size, can’t compete with Family Foods’ selections.
Bolaney said customers continue coming back for select Angus and Amish beef and chicken cuts.
However, following a store fire in 2004, it was uncertain when anybody would be coming back.
P.J.’s son, Patrick Conway V, said the fire broke out in the store’s bathroom.
“It was an exhaust fan,” Patrick said. “It was just one of those things that happens with an older building.”
Battaglia said the community awaited Family Foods’ return so much that the staff came back in August to multiple notes posted on its doors.
“I think the service is easily one of the main draws,” Patrick said. “We try to get people in and out as quickly as possible. If a line starts to form, any manager would open up to help people out.”
And that effort is appreciated by the customers.
“It’s convenient and right around the corner,” said Marilyn Pajak, a Mentor resident. “They’ll do special orders for you and the prices are good.”
For more information, call (440) 946-3788.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
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