Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
In 1963, Percy and Erma Stewart opened a small-town market on the corner of Main Street in Roosevelt. Stewarts Marketplace has since grown into a sizeable store with an extensive inventory, while maintaining its small-town friendliness and customer service.
It's not uncommon to see Manager Mark Stewart taking groceries to a customer's car. And every Halloween, he dresses as a penguin and greets the children coming into the store.
Mark and Percy Stewart grew up helping their parents in the store. They were not only brothers, they were best friends, and Mark tells me their friendship plays a big part in how they operate the business today.
With fierce competition from large chains and big box stores, Mark believes Stewart's Marketplace has stayed in business because of its belief in the importance of individuals, families and communities. This belief extends not only to treating customers well, but to treating employees well. For example, Mark and Percy close store on Sundays to allow employees to spend time with their families and friends.
Before my interview with Mark, a coworker described Stewart's Marketplace as "a store where you can get anything." It has all the features of a great supermarket, with a bakery, deli, floral shop and pharmacy, but there is also a hardware store, sporting goods shop, clothing and footwear section and a RadioShack all under one roof.
Mark tells me that 40 years ago, Stewart's Marketplace had only about 3,000 square feet of space. The store has since moved several times, and now resides in a 55,000-square-foot building at 245 W. Highway 40. Stewart's Marketplace also has a store in Castledale.
Mark says family and community support have played a big role in the success of Stewart's Marketplace. Some of the store's customers have been shopping there for decades. The store also welcomes a steady flow of tourists and visitors in the summer. My coworker was right, Stewart's Marketplace in Roosevelt is a place where you can find just about anything, including great people and great service.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
