Stewart's Shops

Founded in 1945, the Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based Stewart's Shops chain operates in upstate New York and southern Vermont. Stewart's Shops milk was named the best in New York State in 2022 as judged by Cornell University's Department of Food Science. The chain last won this award in 2020.

In addition, the convenience-store chain launched an online shop Nov. 28 on Cyber Monday, selling limited-edition Stewart's Shops-branded items, coffee and My Money/Gas Cards. Items included a rhinestone tumbler, a baby bodysuit, pom-pom winter hats, socks, an ice cream car sticker and coffee. Stewart's said there will be multiple limited-run edition merchandise drops throughout the year.

The chain traditionally offers ice cream promotions honoring veterans on Nov. 11, for Father's Day and on St. Patrick's Day.

While Stewart's Shops is mostly owned by the family of chairman William Dake, employees also own about 40% of the company through an employee stock ownership plan. Stewart's is known regionally for its milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline and other convenience items. The company has an extensive production, distribution and warehousing network that supplies its stores. As a result, the chain is unusual in the number of products it produces in its own facilities, including 20-ounce "refresher" teas and dairy drinks.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2023.