Company Blog

Family Roots

by Adam Zack — June 11, 2025

“I know firsthand that when a business stands behind what they offer—with
pride, care, and consistency—it’s not just a grocery or hardware store.”

Hello from Scott, Adam’s friend since kindergarten. Growing up in my grandfather’s hardware store, I learned early that a family business is more than just a livelihood—it’s a legacy built on relationships, resilience, and trust. The scent of paint, the sounds of the nail bins and lawnmower repairs, and the steady rhythm of locals coming through the door for everything from paint to pipe fittings were the backdrop of my childhood. My grandfather knew his customers by name, remembered their projects, and always had time to lend advice that stretched far beyond hardware.Adam, on the other hand, grew up in the grocery business. His memories were of early mornings stacking produce, the smells of that amazing bakery, ringing up neighbors’ weekly orders, and making sure shelves were stocked just in time for the weekend rush. While the products were different—bread and milk instead of bolts and screws—the heartbeat of the business was strikingly similar: service, community, and the pride of providing something useful and needed.What ties both of our experiences together is that success in a ...

by Adam Zack — June 4, 2025

“U.S. stores cater more to convenience and speed…”

This is Scott. Adam and I met in kindergarten—he was organizing the school supplies in Mrs. Schaufler’s closet while I was eating the finger paint. What a great duo, and we’ve never stopped being friends.If you’ve ever traveled from the U.S. to Italy, one of the first everyday experiences that might surprise you is the difference in grocery shopping. Though the basic idea is the same—buy food and essentials—the experience varies in some key ways.Size and Atmosphere U.S. grocery stores tend to be much larger, often designed to be one-stop shops. In contrast, Italian stores are generally smaller and more focused. While American supermarkets have wide aisles and massive selections, Italian stores feel more compact and efficient, often located right in the heart of neighborhoods.Freshness and Frequency In Italy, shopping is more frequent. Italians often visit their local grocery store or market daily or several times a week, buying just what they need. This habit supports a culture of fresh eating—fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread are often bought the same day they’re consumed. In the U.S., it’s more ...

by Adam Zack — May 28, 2025

“It’s like nature’s way of reminding us to slow down, even in the middle of a
grocery run.” By Scott, guest blogist

Hello, this is Scott, Adams ghost writer for when he needs a break. Thought I’d pop in for a little observation for all you hard working store owners/managers/employees.There’s something unexpectedly soothing about the mist that gently sprays over the produce at the grocery store. It’s a small, everyday moment that most people probably don’t think much about, but if you stop and pay attention, it’s almost hypnotic.Picture it: you’re strolling through the produce section, maybe searching for the perfect bunch of lettuce or the ripest tomatoes. Then, without warning, a soft mist rises up, coating the leafy greens and vibrant vegetables in tiny beads of water. The sound is gentle—a hushed whoosh, like a distant rain shower.For a brief moment, the store feels quieter, cooler, and calmer.It’s a sensory experience that taps into something primal. Water is life, after all. The mist makes the produce look fresher, crisper, like it was just plucked from a garden. But beyond that, there’s something deeply relaxing about watching it happen. It’s like nature’s way of reminding us to slow down, even in the midd...

by Adam Zack — May 21, 2025

“If we can’t be bothered to walk a few extra steps to return a cart, what else are we cutting corners on when it comes to kindness and responsibility?”

Scott here, Adam’s oldest friend—not necessarily the best of his friends, but definitely the oldest!There’s a small but telling act of consideration that seems to be disappearing from our daily lives: returning the
shopping cart. It may not seem like a big deal, but it says a lot about where we are as a society.
We’ve all seen it—abandoned carts scattered across parking lots, wedged against curbs, or even worse, blocking
perfectly good parking spots. Some are left just a few feet away from the cart corral, as if those last few steps were
just too much to handle. While some folks may have legitimate reasons for leaving their carts behind—like physical
limitations or wrangling multiple kids—most of the time, it’s just a case of convenience winning over courtesy.
What happened to the simple principle of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”?
Returning a cart isn’t just about keeping the lot tidy; it’s about respect. Respect for the next shopper who now has
to maneuver around your abandoned cart. Respect for the employ...

by Adam Zack — May 14, 2025

“What was once a lively gathering place is now an empty parking lot.”

When Customer Service Makes All the Difference: Lessons from Island Life.By Scott, friend of AdamHi, it’s me, Adam. I’m off on a 5+ week sabbatical vacation in Europe with my wife. While I’m gone, I’ve volunteered my best friend of 55+ years, Scott Lawhon, to fill in as the guest blogger. If you like his topics and style, you can vote for him to be the new DW Green full-time blogger. If you pine for my style, I’ll be back with some worldly observations that I will no doubt gather on our travels. Until then (or maybe until never, if you choose Scott), cheers to you!Hello, this is Scott—Adam’s friend from kindergarten. That was 55 years ago, so we’re definitely not in kindergarten anymore! I thought I’d pop in and help Adam out with a blog.I live on a small island in Washington state, where we have a few local stores that we support. While we don’t have a huge selection, the nearest big-name stores are about a half-hour drive away.The other day, I overheard a customer at one of our local stores complaining to the manager about not finding a particular brand of sauce. They mentioned that a big chain store carried...

by Adam Zack — May 7, 2025

“If you’re telling your appreciation, your love and your gratitude to a casket,
it really doesn’t help you, and especially not the guy in the casket. “

Once a year we have a small family gathering at my Uncle Paul’s in Long Beach for brunch and mimosas. It’s a mini reunion, with my daughters, their spouses, my brother John and his wife Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary. It’s a relaxed, fun and very comfortable time. This year Paul said something that got me thinking. In a somewhat whimsical, and somewhat resigned way, he said that we were the only family he had left and how much it meant that we all traveled to see him. The more I thought about it, the more I had a feeling that he was in reckoning with his mortality and the fact that these annual gatherings would not be going on forever.My uncle is 84 and I have two (yes two) dads in their mid 80’s. I had not thought of them in terms of their inevitable exit from this earth sooner rather than later. It weighed heavily on my mind, so I decided to contact a close friend and mentor who is also an octogenarian, albeit much more agile than my uncle. I know I can always be honest with him, and he will never hesitate to tell me when I am irrational or full of crap. I asked him if he had thought about his mortali...

by Adam Zack — April 30, 2025

“If you’re not investing in your store, your marketing, and your people, then you’re not staying in business — you’re just waiting to go out of business.“

Man, investing takes guts. It’s a commitment. It’s scary. It’s risky. It’s expensive. And often, it takes years to see any return. Sometimes you hit the jackpot. Other times, you lose your shirt. When we were younger, my dad always encouraged us to stretch our financial limits to gain assets. “If you want to get ahead,” he’d say, “you’ve got to take a chance — a smart one, with your homework done.” And that advice mostly worked. Except for the times we didn’t do our homework and jumped headfirst into things like the tech bubble… or deals that were just too good to be true. Live and learn. Remember the mistakes, but don’t repeat them. Whatever you do, don’t stop investing.Saving isn’t investing. Saving protects. Investing grows. Saving is like standing still in a bad relationship — you’re technically safe, but you’re missing out on a better life. Investing — in your store, your house, your future — involves risk, yes, but also the chance for real reward. Some people just aren’t built for risk. And that’s OK. There are safe, steady, reliab...

by Adam Zack — April 23, 2025

“A kind word, a small gesture—they relieve stress, lighten the mood, and give us a little peace.“

The other day I was walking through the parking lot of my grocery store in San Diego when I saw an Amazon delivery van parked out front. We’ve got an Amazon locker inside, so drivers are a regular sight. This one was leaning against her open door, cigarette in hand, catching a quick break. She looked up, took a drag, and said, “I love your store.” That was it—simple, unsolicited, and completely genuine. And just like that, my day was made.It reminded me how random words of kindness—short, sincere, and totally unexpected—can carry so much weight. That one moment brought me back to my ongoing soapbox: the little things matter most. They’re what make the biggest impact, and the best part? They’re always within your control. That driver had no clue she was going to shift my whole day until I said, “You just made my day. Thank you.” And isn’t that how it usually goes? The moments that hit hardest often show up unannounced, exactly when we need them. A kind word, a small gesture—they relieve stress, lighten the mood, and give us a little peace.So yeah, forget Clint Eastwood. Be the anti-tough guy. Go ahead—make someone’s day. You...

by Adam Zack — April 16, 2025

“Real friendships can’t be bought or forced. “

“The friends you have will form you as you go through life. Make some good friends, keep them for the rest of your life, but have them be people that you admire as well as like.” – Bill GatesI’ve been blessed to have amazing friends my whole life, or at least since I was 5. People who have been a constant in my life. There have been times when we have gone months, or even years, without talking to each other and then we reconnect and it’s like we never missed a step. Sometimes best friends are family (like my daughters Holly and Alyssa, who are best friends. Who would have thought when they were in their teens?) You know when parents tell you how great your friends are that you have something special. When your parents want to hang out with your friends and your friends want to hang out with your parents, you’ve formed some special bonds. Sometimes your parents want to hang out with your friends and it doesn’t matter if you are there or not. Lifelong friendships are something to cherish and be so thankful for. Last weekend we got to spend some time with friends I’ve known for 42 years. The instant comfort, the mutual respect and admiration, the ease of conversation and genuine tinge...

by Adam Zack — April 9, 2025

“We are now more than a quarter through 2025 and if you haven’t created a plan for this summer and the 2025 holiday season, you are running out of time.”

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren BuffettI was talking to a very good friend a couple months ago about a project that we had done together that resulted in positive sales, employee involvement and customer satisfaction. It was something I was proud of and told her enthusiastically “You gotta love it when a plan comes together!” She said, “Yeah, but first you have to have a plan.” It’s an obvious answer that is easily overlooked. Yesterday I was on the phone with another friend and fellow grocer. We were talking about how easy it is to create a promotional plan for the year, but how hard it is to get it implemented and followed through. It’s very satisfying to analyze a promotion after it’s been executed and see positive results. You want to say to the doubters and people who just didn’t want to do the work “See? I told you! Was that so hard?”We are now more than a quarter through 2025 and if you haven’t created a plan for this summer and the 2025 holiday season, you are running out ...

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