The award was presented to Holbrook during the 2010 KGA/KACS Annual Meeting & Industry Awards Dinner held on October 30 at the French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick, Ind.
Each of Holbrook's three sons, Jeff, Matt and Jason, told event attendees of how their father's steady mentoring [image-nocss] and lessons about treating people with honesty and fairness provided the fundamental lessons now contributing to their own success in the business world.
2010 KGA/KACS chairman Tom Litzler said, "Jeff has always been the leader the KGA/KACS board turns to with questions about our bylaws and how our organization actually conducts business. Whether we're tackling difficult association financial decisions or the best way to handle a tough industry decision, Jeff is always ready to provide his wisdom and knowledge."
In his acceptance remarks, Holbrook told the audience about the importance of having mentors in life. Citing his father Orell Holbrook, KGA Grocer of the Year in 1985, Holbrook said, "My father taught me about honesty, integrity and fair dealing in business. My father-in-law, Phil McCardwell, also served as a mentor in teaching the importance of giving back to the community you serve in exchange for what success your business enjoys."
Holbrook grew up in Louisville where his parents and grandparents moved after World War II to establish themselves in the grocery business. Over the years his father, Orell Holbrook, established four supermarkets, later becoming Key Market and Gateway Supermarkets serviced by a local wholesale company known as the Creasey Co. At an early age Jeff worked alongside his Dad bagging customer's groceries, stocking wooden shelves, and sweeping concrete floors.
He worked for KG Food Corp. (K Mart) and his father while in college. After college, he worked for his father, starting as produce manager, working his way up to store manager. After several attempts to expand his father's supermarket business, Holbrook believed the road to survival for the small independent supermarket operator was to grow through a new store phenomenon known as convenience stores. Over the next several years, under the umbrella of the supermarket corporation, he established a franchise that allowed individuals to open and run a store under his guidance with the name of the new Short Stop Food Marts Inc.
By 1978, the Short Stop Food Marts were growing, and he purchased the Short Stop stores from his father. He continued to grow the operation opening 28 stores throughout the years. As Holbrook looked to retirement, he began reducing the number of stores until his son Matt decided to join him and continue the Short Stop Food Mart legacy.
Established as a company in 1978, Short Stop Food Marts operates 12 retail food and fuel locations in the Louisville area.
Holbrook has been, and continues to be dedicated to the concerns of the association. He joined the board of the Kentucky Grocer's Association at a young age and has been involved in many capacities over his numerous terms of office, including chairman.
The award recipient is determined by the KGA/KACS board based on an individual's outstanding contribution to their family, community and the good of the c-store and convenience distribution industries in Kentucky. The Kentucky Convenience Store of the Year Award was established in 2008 as a separate association award recognizing the c-store industry in Kentucky.
Founded in 1941, the Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores is a joint statewide trade association representing approximately 550 member companies operating in a retail food and convenience marketplace of approximately 1,900 locations across Kentucky. Membership includes retailers, wholesalers, distributors and related suppliers to the grocery, supermarket, and convenience store industries.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.