Progressive Grocer - April 2009 - (Page 16)

Independents Report Big ideas for the smaller grocer Self-Made Man Bill MacAloney of Jax Markets is a shining example of triumph over adversity, both in retailing and in life. job at Certified, it wasn’t in his nature to give up. a second location.” It was in purchasing the additional Having a ninth-grade education, he took on other store that the company officially took the name of Jax jobs and attended night school for two years to earn Markets. “People often ask me how it was decided to ittle did he realize how far the jour- his high school diploma. Later, he enrolled in man- name the company Jax Markets,” says MacAloney. ney would take him when, at age agement classes at the local junior college. And by “The explanation is pretty simple. The second store 16, Bill MacAloney ran away from the way, need I mention, was called ‘Jax,’ and at the “home.” Sadly, his was not the typ- some 20 years later, time we couldn’t afford to ical loving and secure home that MacAloney did get the take down the sign because most of us as teenagers enjoyed and perhaps too often job at Certified Grocers? it was too expensive to took for granted. Raised as an orphan and shuffled Not in the warehouse, but replace.” Without a doubt, every six months from one living arrangement to as chairman of the board. MacAloney himself will another on the East Coast, MacAloney, now 73, has “Becoming educated someday be hard to replace, few, if any, fond memories of his childhood. “I remem- was an important step in but a succession plan to perber feeling that I wanted to get as far away from Mass- my life,” he confirms. “It petuate the three-store famachusetts as possible,” he recollects. “And I knew that allowed me to become a ily business is well underCalifornia was about the farthest I could travel.” person with whom others way. Penniless and in search of a better life, MacAloney wanted to do business.” Sharing her unique perhitchhiked his way west in just seven days and has Following a successful spective and passion for the understandably never looked back. His story is, to career in retail as an assisbusiness is MacAloney’s those who know and respect MacAloney, both heart- tant manager and store daughter, Tammy Wilson, wrenching and inspirational — and it reminds us manager for numerous Bill MacAloney of Jax Markets (right) has been 51, who came on board all to appreciate family and our ability to make life supermarkets, including joined in the family business by his daughter, three years ago, having previbetter for ourselves and others. Hollywood Ranch Mar- Tammy Wilson. ously spent her career in the ket, where he first met his nonfoods arena. “She’s well Up By His Own Bootstraps wife, Gwen, a customer at the store, MacAloney was prepared to take over the family business,” notes her Upon his arrival in California decades ago, the in 1970 presented with a unique opportunity to own proud father. “She recently participated in Portland first place the tired and hungry MacAloney visited his own business. State’s executive program, the Disney Foundation Manwas a church. “I told them that I was all alone and “I took over a store that was in bankruptcy,” he agement Program and USC’s executive training. Plus, had no place to stay,” he recounts. “They put me up explains. “Basically, the owner said to me, ‘Hey, I Tammy’s also a member of an FMI share group, and she and gave me money for food, and told me that I will give you the place if you will agree to pay off has a fantastic understanding of the business.” needed to go out and get a job,” he remembers. “I the bills.’” He continues: “My first priority was to What advice does he offer to the next generation ended up working a variety of jobs — from furniture meet with all of the people who were owed money. I of leadership? “I believe very much that you have to lifting to working in a plating factory — and I bought told them that I would pay all of them off and that learn to give back. Respect the associates that work my clothes at a Salvation Army store.” it would take time to do so. They agreed to work with you and reward them for outstanding work, Before long, MacAloney became involved in the with me. Needless to say, I didn’t build up much and also give back to the industry.” food business. “I took a job in a warehouse unload- cash flow during those first two years.” He concludes: “Certainly, my life has taught me ing trucks and boxed cars, and I eventually was After reviving the once-bankruptcy-bound store, that things do not come easy. When I think about the assigned to pull grocery orders,” he says. “When MacAloney’s confidence grew and so did the respect he challenges I faced growing up, I realize that I could’ve that business closed, I decided to earned from vendors and his local gone either way. I could’ve been a bum — or I could More ONLINE apply for a job at the nearby Cerbank. “I was no longer considered a choose to make something of myself. For additional information tified Grocers. Under 5 feet 8 c.o.d. customer,” he laughs. “We “I kind of like the latter,” he smiles. on independent inches in height, I was told that I worked very hard and built a good retailers, go to wasn’t tall enough to work there.” reputation catering to a Hispanic Independent Retailing Editor Jane Olszeski Tortola Progressivegrocer.com While MacAloney didn’t get the clientele, and we were ready to open can be reached at JanieOT@aol.com. By Jane Olszeski Tortola L 16 • Progressive Grocer • April 2009 A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.Progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - April 2009

Progressive Grocer - April 2009
Contents
Nielsen's Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Salty Snacks/Variety Snack Packs
Market Snapshot: Cleveland, Ohio
Independents Report: How Jax Markets' MacAloney Triumphed Over Adversity
Lempert Report: Consumers in Command
Nielsen Report: Keeping Up With the Economy: Insights and Opportunities in Uncertain Times
Store of the Month: Close to Home
Sustainability Best Practices: It's Not Easy Being Green
Give Green, Get Green
Store of the Month: The Collection
Household Cleaners: Green Clean Is Growing
Meat Conference: Annual Meat Conference Rustles Up Retailers, Vendors to Denver
Produce: Organic Opportunities
Meat: Premium Possibilities
Reusable Bags: Paper, Plastic or Yours?
Technology: Priced to Sell
Equipment: A Flash of Green
What's Next: Editors' Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - April 2009