Last updated on August 17th, 2016 at 03:23 pm
Stater Bros. Markets will officially celebrate a big anniversary on Aug. 17. It was on this day in 1936 that the first Stater Bros. market opened in Yucaipa, California. For 80 years, Stater Bros. has continued the heritage of its founders by providing its customers with the lowest possible prices, the best quality merchandise and friendliest service in town, according to the company.
To celebrate the anniversary, Stater Bros. will offer its customers balloons and Lofthouse Cookies from 3-8 p.m. Aug. 17 in all 168 Stater Bros. supermarket locations while supplies last.
At the heart of Stater Bros.’ business is its valued customers, according to the company. Throughout the celebratory year, Stater Bros. has partnered with supplier friends to provide even lower prices and savings all year long.
Stater Bros. also continues the legacy of its founders by continuing to give back to the communities it serves. The company has provided funding to countless local organizations benefitting hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health and help for the nation’s veterans. This includes support for organizations such as Feeding America, Toys for Tots, the Children’s Fund and the “Believe Walk” to fight cancer.
“Celebrating 80 years is an unbelievable accomplishment for any company,” says Jack H. Brown, executive chairman of Stater Bros. Markets. “We wouldn’t be here without our valued customers and this milestone is certainly a testament to the loyalty and dedication of all the past and present members of our Stater Bros. family; to our devoted customers, many of whom are sixth-generation Stater Bros. shoppers; and to the partnerships which have been established with our supplier friends. We were founded by veterans (Stater brothers), and over 1,995 of us have served or continue to serve.”
*Editor’s note: Find The Shelby Report’s special Stater Bros. 80th anniversary edition here.
Widow of Lavoy Stater, who was the first Stater Bros. employee, turns 100 in September
In other Stater Bros. milestone news, Evelyn “Sunny” Stater, widow of Stater Bros. co-founder Lavoy Stater, will turn 100 years old in September. To celebrate the occasion, Evelyn’s family will hold a private birthday celebration for her.
In 1935, Evelyn worked for the W.A. Davis grocery store in Yucaipa. When the Stater brothers purchased that store in 1936, they kept Evelyn on board and she became the first employee of Stater Bros. Markets. Some of her duties included weighing eggs that were brought in to sell, checking, cleaning and keeping books on credit that was extended to customers.
In 1943, she married Stater Bros. co-founder Lavoy Stater. She worked for Stater Bros. until the birth of the couple’s first child in 1948. Evelyn and Lavoy have three children, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Their son Edward (Ed) retired from Stater Bros. in 2011 as a SVP and served Stater Bros. for more than 45 years.
“Evelyn Stater made countless contributions to Stater Bros. Markets. Without Evelyn’s support in the early days, Stater Bros. future may not have been as bright and blessed,” said Brown. “Women have played a big role in the Stater Bros. success story, but none has played a bigger role than that of Evelyn Stater and the Stater wives.
“Additionally, thanks to retired Senior Vice President Ed Stater, wife Vicki and sister Christie for documenting and sharing the history of Stater Bros., which reflects all of the contributions the Stater family has made to the Stater Bros. family of employees.”
