Lovejoy’s Market Honored as IGA Retailer of the Year Finalist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Market Honored as a Finalist in IGA Retailer of the Year Competition

Bend, OR (January 16, 2014) – C.E. Lovejoy’s Brookswood Market in southwest Bend has been honored as one of six finalists in the 2014 Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) Retailer of the Year competition. IGA’s CEO, Mark Batenic, and Senior Vice Presidents, Doug Fritsch and Dave Bennett, recently visited the store to get a firsthand look at the quality and innovation that earned the market this coveted distinction and to present a certificate of congratulations to Owner, Scott Lovejoy, and his team. Criteria for recognition in the months’ long process were based on community involvement, employee development, brand support, merchandising, leadership, and innovation.

“We are honored to have been chosen as one of six out of 5000 IGA affiliated stores,” said Lovejoy. “My ancestors have been in the grocery business since 1864 and it’s something we are really proud of. We work hard to combine their traditional values of personalized customer service with the progressive ideas that keep us moving forward as a modern, independent neighborhood market in Central Oregon. We’re extremely proud of our community involvement and service standards, which were a large part of what earned us this recognition. It’s the hometown relationships that have been built with our customers, suppliers and community partners that make us who we are.”

The Market’s contributions to the community include goods, services and financial support to over 10 local schools, churches, multiple child and family advocacy organizations, neighborhood associations, the hospital, health related causes, and NeighborImpact among others. Its annual matching donations campaigns have benefitted the local Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross, the St. Charles Foundation Spark Your Heart program, The American Cancer Society, and Bethlehem Inn.

In addition to a wide selection of local products and annual events, the store is well known for its new Love Handles Growler Depot with 12 tap handles of local Oregon beer selections, and its extensive gluten free products section.

C.E. Lovejoy’s Brookswood Market is Bend’s newest full-service, locally-owned and operated grocery store. The highest rated 5-star IGA grocery store in the Northwest in 2012 and 2013, Lovejoy’s offers high-quality fresh produce, a complete meat department, freshly-baked goods, local dairy products and specialty cheeses, a full-service gourmet deli, and a wide selection of beers and wines.  The market, is located at 19530 Amber Meadow Drive in Bend (in the Brookswood Meadow Plaza), approximately two (2) miles south of the Brookswood Blvd./Powers Rd. Roundabout. For more information, call 541-388-1188, visit their website at www.celovejoys.com or Facebook page at “C.E. Lovejoy’s”.

Photo Caption:  Representatives from IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) present Lovejoy’s Market with a Certificate of Achievement for being chosen as one of six finalists in the IGA Retailer of the Year Competition.  From left to right:  Doug Fritsch (IGA Senior Vice President), Mark Batenic (IGA CEO), Travis Lovejoy and Scott Lovejoy (Owners), Diana Franko (Lovejoy’s Store Manager), and Dave Bennett (IGA Senior Vice President).