The Ohio Grocers Association (OGA) presented its Pinnacle Award to Rideout’s IGA Foodliner and the Rideout family as well as to Wagner’s IGA and the Wagner family last week. The Pinnacle Award, based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, is given annually to both a single-store operator and a multi-store operation.
When the McLain Grocery Co. first opened a new IGA in Perry in January 1973, Bob Rideout started off as a stock boy for the store. He continued to work at the IGA store for 11 years before going to work for Tom Conti at Headlands IGA for two years.
Seeing the opportunity to bring a store back to the community when Perry IGA closed in 1986, Bob Rideout and his wife Susan reopened the store in February 1987 and Rideout’s IGA was born.
Over the years, the Rideouts have made various improvements to the store location, expanding and modernizing the store. In 2009, Susan Rideout passed away, but her spirit continues to be a driving force within the store today.
Family ownership has remained a constant for Rideout’s over the years. Today, Bob Rideout’s son Robbie manages and is a part owner of the company. Bob Rideout’s daughter Cassie serves as deli manager and his sister Linda serves as office manager.
Since its inception, Rideout’s IGA has been extremely active in the community, donating food, sponsoring various sports teams and volunteering within the community.
In addition, several of Rideout’s employees have run booths at the local annual Relay for Life, raising thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.
“I am extremely honored to recognize Rideout’s IGA as our 2015 Pinnacle Award winner,” said Nate Filler, president and CEO of the OGA. “Rideout’s has a rich family history and longstanding commitment of serving the communities of Perry and Painesville and is most deserving of the Ohio Grocers Association’s highest honor.”
Wagner’s IGA is multi-store Pinnacle Award winner
Wagner’s IGA and the Wagner family received their OGA Pinnacle Award in Minster.
Wagner’s IGA’s began in 1922 when A.J. Wagner opened his first store at 91 W. Fourth Street in Minster. Though during its early years Wagner’s IGA only sold groceries, the company maintained its founding principles of exceptional customer service and a quality product. Gradually, with those principles intact, the growing business added various produce and meat items to its ever-expanding store.
By 1946, Wagner Sr. joined his father in running the family business and by 1979 Wagner’s IGA moved to its current location.
Currently, Wagner’s IGA, with more than 90 years of excellence and quality, is under the management of third-generation owner and immediate past OGA Chairman Wally Wagner Jr. The company boasts three locations in addition to its original location in Minster. It also has stores in Fort Loramie and New Bremen.
“The Wagner family and their loyal employees have a long record of serving the communities of Minister, Fort Loramie and New Bremen and are most deserving of the Ohio Grocers Association’s highest honor,” said Filler.
In addition to the in-store presentations, the Rideout and Wagner families will receive a special video recognition at the OGA’s annual Trade Relations Gala on April 18 at the North Pointe Hotel and Conference Center.
