Southern California’s Super King Markets is the recipient of Unified Grocers’ 2016 “Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award.” The award was presented during a special dinner in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The award is named after Ben Schwartz, the 96-year old former board chairman for Unified. Schwartz was in attendance at the awards dinner.
“This is the 11th year that Unified has given the award to an outstanding independent retailer. On behalf of the entire Unified team, I’d like to congratulate and thank Super King and the Fermanian family for being part of our family,” said Bob Ling, president and CEO of Unified Grocers, in presenting the award. “The Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award is given annually to the company in our membership that best embodies the spirit of Ben. There are lots of great stories of success in our membership, but I can think of no better recipient for this award. Super King has built a reputation as a forward-looking, creative and visionary company, and I’m excited to see them grow and thrive as a Unified member in the years ahead.”
The Fermanian family opened the first Super King store in Anaheim in 1993. The company has grown and evolved, building a strong market share in and around Los Angeles. Today, Super King operates six markets, with locations in Anaheim, Altadena, Claremont, Van Nuys, Northridge and Los Angeles.
“Ben Schwartz is a legend in our business, and it’s an honor to receive this prestigious award. My thanks to Unified,” said Super King co-founder Vache Fermanian in accepting the award surrounded by the rest of the Fermanian family on stage.
In addition to the award that was presented to Super King Markets, a duplicate is on permanent display in the lobby of Unified headquarters in Commerce, California. A plaque recognizing Super King Markets has been added to the permanent award.
