2022 Lowe's Market ROY, Roger Lowe Sr. HOF

APRIL 2022

A lasting legacy of passion, partnerships and persistence Roger Lowe Sr. enters Food Industry Hall of Fame When Roger Lowe Sr. is visiting one of his stores, there’s a good chance you will find him bagging groceries or greeting every employee (known as a teammate) or picking up trash in the parking lot.

His heart for people, attention to detail and impact on the grocery industry are just a few of the characteristics that led to his induction into Shelby Publishing’s Food Industry Hall of Fame.

Lowe’s Market is a family-owned supermarket chain that operates under multiple banners throughout the southwestern U.S., providing the capacity to cater to various neighborhoods.

Lowe’s opened its first grocery store in 1963 in the small town of Olton, Texas, but the family history in the grocery business dates to the late 1940s when E.M. “Bud” Lowe, Roger Sr.’s father, started selling candy and sundries in Littlefield, Texas.

Bud and Roger Sr. founded the company on the principle of taking care of the community, their teammates and their family. That philosophy has allowed the company to grow from its humble beginnings to 144 stores covering all of Texas and neighboring New Mexico, with additional locations in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas.

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Roger Lowe Jr. VP and CEO

Roger Lowe Sr. 2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

“It’s a tremendous honor…he hasn’t been recognized for a whole lot in his life because he doesn’t want that spotlight.

But at this point in his life and career, it’s special...it’s just nice for him to be rewarded like that.”

2022 Southwest Retailer of the Year Beginning on page 66

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Roger Lowe Sr.

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In their own words ...

Man of faith

Many people told The Shelby Report their story of going to Lowe Sr. for mentoring. One of the questions they ask him is what books he reads. He always tells them there is only one book to focus on – the Bible.

Bringing life to the company’s core values of “God, Family, Groceries,” Lowe Sr. is consistently described in the pages that follow as one of the “godliest” men folks have met.

“He is the definition of everything that we preach…in the Bible it talks about ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ And he is a peacemaker,” said Tanner Wilson, Lowe’s chaplain and senior pastor at First Baptist Church Littlefield. “He truly makes peace in all situations. I think he is full of love because he treats every ­person the same.”

Lowe Sr. also taught Sunday school at the church for more than 50 years.

“He takes that very serious. It’s a volunteer position. But it’s very important to him. And he cares for it. He loves it,” Wilson said. “Even during the COVID (pandemic) he called me every Sunday afternoon to let me know that he watched the sermon that morning.

“And he wanted an update on his Sunday school class.

He wanted to know how many people were there?

Who was there? Who was not there? Who could he call to check on? That was his ministry. He really does and has done a phenomenal job with that.”

Tanner Wilson

Chaplain at Lowe’s and Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Littlefield “[When I met him] he was very truthful. He didn’t try to coerce or convince me [to be a pastor at the church] he was just very honest and authentic.

And you could sense his genuine love for his community and for his church.”

During his visit to Littlefield, Texas, The Shelby Report’s Eric Pereira quickly discovered that folks were eager to talk about Roger Lowe Sr. and his impact on their lives. In the pages that follow, seemingly everyone from corporate executives, business associates and elected officials to office staff and area and regional managers share their fond memories of this Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee.

Family grocer

A third-generation company, Roger Lowe Jr., Lowe’s CEO and VP, continues to see his father’s passion as a grocer.

“My dad truly loves the business and has always loved the business from the day that he started it with my granddad back in 1963. My dad has always worked…he outworks everybody,” Lowe Jr. said.

One of the greatest lessons he gained from his father is that the company’s greatest asset is its teammates.

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Roger Lowe Sr. From page 22

“He loves on people a lot and he has a big heart in hiring. And it’s amazing how many people he knows in the stores,” Lowe Jr. said. “Even if I was to take him to the stores today, he’s talking to every cashier, every sacker, he’ll go find everybody in the store.”

The family atmosphere also has led to a lot of long-tenured employees, such as VP and CFO Ronnie Rogers, who has been with Lowe’s for 30 years.

“I think what’s kind of unusual for me is he’s been my boss, but we’ve always been friends. And I say that in a respectful way. It’s more than friends...you enjoy what you do,” Rogers said.

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Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

From page 24

Service to AFI

Lowe Sr. served on the board of directors of Affiliated Foods Inc. from 1972-2021 and was nominated as its chairman in 1982.

Randy Arceneaux, president and CEO of AFI, has known Lowe Sr. for 13 years. He credits him as being instrumental in Arceneaux coming to the Amarillo, Texas-based wholesaler. “[Lowe Sr. is] the one that reached out to me to ­offer me the opportunity to come here. And I originally was the chief operating officer’s position…I got hired for chief operating officer and 18 months later, I became the CEO,” Arceneaux said.

Arceneaux mentioned Lowe Sr. will always be remembered for his integrity and looking out for the best interest of AFI as a co-op.

“As a board member, we always have to remember the board guy has to take his hat [of the retailer] off when he enters the boardroom and put on the Affiliated hat,” Arceneaux said. “[Lowe Sr.] absolutely did that without struggle…Affiliated Foods meant that much to him. The success of it, because it impacted so many independent grocery folks that we service

through all the different states, they were important to him.”

Mike Murphy, Lowe’s director of advertising, agreed.

“He wore both hats very well. He couldn’t put us above Affiliated,” Murphy said. “He was very cautious not to allow us to get more than our fair share.”

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Richard Ware II

Chairman of Amarillo National Bank “Roger Sr. is a classic American success story. He just has been such a moving force in everything that he does, growing a wonderful chain of stores, but also growing employees, and then growing the Affiliated Foods warehouse and making it all come together.”

Awards and recognitions Lowe’s Market has received numerous awards and recognition with Roger Lowe Sr. at the helm as president and chairman of the board. Among them: ◆ In 2017, the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation of Baylor University honored Lowe’s Market as the Texas Large Family Business of the Year. ◆ In 2016, Lowe Sr. received the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the National Grocer’s Association. The award recognizes an independent grocer who exemplifies persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship. ◆ In 2022, Lowe’s Market received NGA’s Creative Choice Award in the fresh department for its Mealtime Made Easy program.

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In addition, Lowe Sr.’s relationships within AFI lead to several acquisitions for Lowe’s Market. When grocers were ready to sell, they trusted their company would be in good hands with him.

“They naturally think of Roger – that’s how we’ve kind of grown,” said Joel Griffith, director of HR. “As opportunities came up, he was in the right place at the right time and well respected and well thought of.”

“We really just don’t even have to go look anymore,” said Tim Cotton, COO. “People contact us...we don’t have to have an aggressive plan because people came to us so much that we just evaluated what came in. Then we tried to make good smart business decisions based off that information.”

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Tim Cotton

Chief Operating Officer “He’s a godly man and he lives what he preaches…he is who he is. What you see is what you get. We call him Big Daddy. And 99 percent of the time – even sometimes in meetings with companies – we call him Big Daddy.”

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Lowe Sr.’s retirement from his role as chairman last year was one of the most ­difficult days of Arceneaux’s career.

“I had developed more of a father-son relationship [with Lowe Sr.]. And so, it felt like I was losing my dad at the same time of losing a chairman,” he said.

Lowe Sr. credited his partnerships with Affiliated Foods and Amarillo National Bank to the overall success of the company.

“That has really facilitated our growth. We were with a good wholesale company. And we were with a good banker. And after that, the rest is history,” he said.

“I’ve got to say Affiliated and [Richard] Ware [Amarillo National Bank’s chairman] have been a great part of our success.”

Arceneaux described it as a real partnership.

“One without the other cannot succeed,” he said. “He knew that very well. He always referred to Affiliated Foods as ‘the goose that lays the golden egg.’ He truly understood what the warehouse brought to the table to help our membership compete in the marketplace and the profits that we returned to them on an annual b ­ asis has been millions and millions of dollars over the years.”

Ronnie Rogers VP and CFO

“You’re just not going to meet many people like him.

And I think that respect is earned, it’s genuine and it’s for real. He’s spent his life in this business. He gave up a lot to make his company and dreams.”

Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Mario Torres

Director of Refrigeration “A very humble man. You couldn’t meet a more pleasant person for what he’s achieved. He’ll be in the grocery stores, in the grand opening and he will bag groceries. Nothing is beneath him. He’s just a regular everyday guy.”

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2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Ken Hutchings

Special Projects Coordinator “He’s the definition of a godly man…he will give all to serve the needs of someone else… he’s a virtuous and honorable man, because of his attitude and his approach to others… and I think he’s a perfect demonstration of that, he loves people that God loves.”

Shawn Pickrell

Director of Construction and Facilities “There’s no one higher that I hold in regards to except Jesus Christ… If there’s a mentor or somebody you want to grow up and be like, it’s Roger…he’s just one of the most humble people. One of the godliest men I know.”

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2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Page Daniel

Director of Pricing “You wouldn’t think he was the owner of the company the first time you met him. He’s nice, just easy to get along with, very personable, very down to earth.

He can talk to anybody, anytime, about anything…he is there for anybody that needs him.”

Duane Brown

Director of Management Awareness, Loss Prevention, Training and Special Events “He’s the type of guy when he walks into the parking lot, he picks up trash…he meets everybody in store…and when he meets you, you can feel the compassion and feel the love.”

John Potter

Director of Produce Operations “A very kind, very soft-spoken man, as welcoming as any person I’ve met in my life…he’s a great Christian leader. But he’s a leader that believes he’s a servant. And that’s the way he runs the organization. “

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2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Rory Glidewell IT Director

“The Lowes are just really kind and nice people...and Mr. Lowe would do anything for you...he’s probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. And in terms of being kind, he really means that and he’s not fake…every once a while, things don’t go well and he doesn’t really panic.”

Joel Griffith

Director of Human Resources “It’s a well-deserved [honor]. They couldn’t find a better person. He is the epitome of a godly servant leader. And we need more people like him… we’re blessed to have him. He’s just very, very special.”

John Click

Director of Meat Operations “The nicest gentleman I’ve ever met. There’s not a question on my mind that he is a very nice, God-fearing person and I use that in the kindest of terms. He’s just a nice man. And he’s been nothing but great to me and my family.”

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Allan Bandy

Roger Lowe Sr. Matt Corbin

Director of Bakery/Deli

Director of Marketing

“He always makes a point to talk to me every time he passes or catch me or pop in my office and check on me. I feel very blessed.

And I can certainly see why everyone says what they say because I certainly believe it as well.”

“His hope that I’m going to be good inspires me…when he goes, ‘I’ve heard a lot of good things about you and we have high hopes for your contributions here.’ Well, now I just want to run through a wall.”

Mike Murphy

Director of Advertising “A customer told me that one of our store managers in one of our tiny towns was buying the food, cooking it in his deli and feeding the homeless people in the town. [Roger Sr.] drove over there that day and gave him money to buy groceries.”

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2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Larisa Glidewell

Accounting Supervisor “I have worked for Mr. Lowe for over 28 years. He is one of the most caring individuals. He is a Christian and practices his faith daily. It is such an honor to work for a man that has such a true faith and a great sense of integrity.”

Kasey Ledbetter Payroll Supervisor

“Mr. Lowe has created a family atmosphere that takes our company so much further than just a job. He truly values and cares for each and every teammate.”

Brent Adkins

Director of Store Support “He considers us real teammates and friends. I think he’s deserving of [the honor] and has been for a long time. I’m proud that he is our boss and the owner. The way that he acts and the way that he treats people, it’s really a good thing.”

Matthew MacDonald

Assistant Director of Produce Operations “The person who introduced me to him said, ‘He will never forget your name.’ If he went and introduced himself to you, he was going to remember who you were and what you did for him, because it meant that much to him.”

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Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Kent Hance

Former U.S. Representative “There’s an old saying that nice guys don’t finish first. And whoever said that didn’t know Roger Lowe Sr. He’s a nice guy who finishes first. He finishes first, if you’re talking about the industry, what he does. He finishes first, with his family, his state and community.”

Reese Rogers Accounting and Special Projects

“Big Daddy is a role model that I look up to and he sets a great example of leadership.”

Randy Arceneaux

President and CEO of Affiliated Food Inc. “He is actually very much a self-made man. The humble beginnings…is a phenomenal testimony to his sense of business that he possesses as a person, his aggressiveness as a business person and his attitude of working with people and training and teaching and coaching.”

Hugh Lyle

Attorney at Lowe’s “I don’t believe that I’ve ever heard Mr. Lowe make a disparaging remark about anyone. I have found him to be a man that never met a stranger. And he, to me, is the epitome of the true Christian gentleman.”

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Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Mitch Grant

City Manager of Littlefield “Roger Lowe has been a huge part of the community and everything about him is Littlefield. It’s really neat to be aware of something that’s grown to the size it is now…having the headquarters here in Littlefield is huge. They’re always ready to help out.”

Jaci Gartin HR Manager

“Roger Sr. is an incredible man and would go to the end of the earth for any of his teammates. I couldn’t be prouder to work for a man that truly lives by his motto, ‘God, Family and Groceries.’”

Cheryl Hines WIC and Taxes

“Mr. Lowe is the most awesome person. He is all about integrity and you won’t meet a nicer person.”

Maria Vargas AP Supervisor

“Mr. Lowe is the most caring boss I have ever known. He takes the time to say ‘hi’ and to know your name. He is aware of what is going on in his company and truly cares.”

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John Mancuso

Sylvia Griffith

Claims Manager

Accounts Receivable Supervisor

“I think his sense of humor is underrated. I really do. He likes to joke, but he does it in a way where you kind of have to think, “Now wait a minute, was that a joke or was he being serious?”

Alan Buxkemper Regional Manager

“Roger is a one-of-a-kind, God-fearing man who truly believes in God, family and groceries…he made us feel welcome, right from the beginning. He wanted to make sure that we walked into a family environment...he genuinely cares about all his people.”

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

“He’s our friend. He’s genuine. He’s the real deal. We would do anything for him...he’ll come and ask for something as simple as making a copy for him. And we’re just like, ‘Oh, of course,’ you know, drop everything. He’s a genuinely sweet man.”

Holly Nelson

Executive Assistant “I’ve gotten the opportunity to help him with a lot of stuff at work and also typing out his Sunday school lessons and helping him prepare for those. He’s so sweet. He’s just makes you feel welcome and like you’re part of the family.”

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Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Jeff Gallaway Area Manager

“He’s the type of guy that’s always positive..he truly exhibits his faith with Christ in his daily walk and leadership skills...his character and reputation will outlive him. And some things that he’s taught me along the way I’ve instilled in my kids.”

Roy Pittman Area Manager

“He’s been more like a father than a boss. It really is pretty much family.

He embodies the fruits of the spirit – represents all the attributes...I’ve talked to that man just like I would talk to my dad. He’s always been so gracious to help employees.”

Cindy Binning Area Manager

“As a whole, I think that the impact left behind by him it’s not even something you can necessarily measure. But in these small communities where we have stores, they can measure it, they know the difference.”

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Brian Walker Area Manager

“He’s more concerned with your well-being and where you are, mentally and physically. And it makes you want to work harder, makes you want to do as much as you can to take the company where he wants to take it.”

Roger Lowe Sr. Mark Wood Area Manager

“He cares about every single teammate, not just about them, but their family. My wife was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago.

And he called me every week to check on her to see how I was doing. And praying for her and for myself during that time.”

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David Figueroa Area Manager

“With two of my other siblings working for the company as well, we got the opportunities to prove ourselves and now have the responsibility in the company that allows us to give back to Mr. Lowe. He has always shown me [support] from my personal life to professional life.”

Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Saul Figueroa Area Manager

“You just look around at the company he’s built and he’s just a great man…honestly, he’s humble, loyal and a God-loving man. I mean, he really lives by that word.”

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Kevin Satterwhite Area Manager

“That guy’s all cowboy, no hat…you couldn’t pick a better fellow [for the Hall of Fame]. Any accolade that could be bestowed upon that guy is not enough. And that’s from the heart.”

David McKenzie Area Manager

“I think he could write a book on leadership and ownership of grocery business and be the best example there ever was. I think he’s that type of person. And he’s very humble about how he’s done…I don’t think there are a lot of them out there like him.”

Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Lorin Stewart Area Manager

“God has worked wonders in his life and it is evident in his dedication to God. God has rewarded Roger for his faithfulness and has blessed his business.”

Greg Baldwin Area Manager

“He is the glue that kind of holds everything together…it’s never been about the number of stores that he had. It was about the number of teammates that he had to take care of.”

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Mason Jordan Area Manager

“My time with him has been great. I love working for the Lowes and they’re very good people.”

David Vasquez Area Manager

“When I had the opportunity to join the company, I jumped on it really quick. I didn’t care where I had to start, I was willing to just join because I had heard so many great things about him.”

Sandy Dinges Foodservice

“He can go into any grocery store… and he knows everybody by their first name. He takes the time with you and visits with you. And he asks about your family. And I don’t know an employer that really takes the time like that.”

Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

Cruz Vargas Foodservice

“My son had open heart surgery and he remembered. When he comes in, he will ask how he is doing.”

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Kim Pickrell Foodservice

“He calls employees teammates...and that’s how he treats you. We’re in it together. And he’s all about everybody bonding and working together as a team.

And he doesn’t treat us any different.”

Mary Ellen Rivera

Administrative Assistant “I view him as kind of like a surrogate dad.

He’s got a lot of the values my dad had…he has something good to say all the time.

And he always gives you praise and compliments.”

Linda Ramirez HR Manager

“He knows who you are. He makes everyone feel valued. And it doesn’t matter what position you hold in the company, he can be with the CEO and talking to them or someone who’s just coming out with the toilet brush, he knows their name.”

Roger Lowe Sr.

2022 Southwest Food Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

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2022 Southwest Retailer of the Year

God, family, groceries are guiding force Core values run deep in Texas chain

by Eric Pereira / content creator

As a Christian-based and family-owned organization, these two ­values are at the core of Lowe’s Market.

The Christian and family values helped drive one of the company’s internal logos – GFG, which stands for God, family and groceries.

The letters are listed in order – God is first priority, family is second and the grocery business third.

These three pillars have been preached for years by Roger Lowe Sr., president and chairman of the board. And about 10 years ago, the company formalized it by developing the GFG internal logo.

“It’s his heart and his motto. He started our God Family Groceries – it’s how we run our company. Dad started that and he truly believes that,” said Roger Lowe Jr., CEO and VP. “And his heart is for ­people to know it is a ministry…it’s more than just a career or making money for him. It’s about the people and how we can minister to them.”

Lowe Jr. then stated the importance of teammates being able to enjoy the quality time with their families. “[My father] believes in God first and then he believes in family. He believes in telling people we all work, but if your kid has got a game, you need to be at that game. Family has to be above the business,” Lowe Jr. said.

For his employees, those values really resonate with them.

“When this company says they put God, family and business in that order, they truly walk the talk,” said Duane Brown, director of management awareness, loss prevention, training and special events.

Lowe Sr. is known for saying, “If your Bible is falling apart, your life probably isn’t.”

Many employees fondly recalled times that Lowe Sr. has encouraged them by making sure they were spending quality time with their family.

One can sense the family atmosphere when walking around the headquarters in Littlefield, Texas. People work together, pray together, go to church together and many live in the same neighborhood.

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Many also told of Lowe Sr.’s passion for feeding a community.

“It breaks Mr. Lowe’s heart, because he’ll say, ‘Where are my senior citizens going to shop?’” Brown said of when Lowe’s has to close a store.

Alan Buxkemper, area manager, remembered Lowe Sr. expressing a similar feeling to him.

“The worst thing we can do is leave a community without a grocery store,” Buxkemper said. “[Lowe Sr.] says, ‘A community without a grocery store is no longer a community.’”

Added Lowe Jr., “At the end of the day, it’s all about the neighborhood we serve.”

This ties into the company’s strategy of not being “cookie cutter” – no two stores are alike and they serve communities of all demographics and income levels.

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Golf tournament, banquet are celebration of caring Store managers, vendors share in success

by Eric Pereira / content creator

Roger Lowe Sr. demonstrates an admiration for every Lowe’s teammate he meets, to which countless people can attest.

“He would honestly take the time to greet everybody,” said David Figueroa, area manager. “From the front to the back of the store. He has such a personal relationship with a lot of our workers. And just like myself, a lot of the teammates have been around a long time. So, they know him at that level.”

The fondness for teammates can also be seen at the company’s annual golf tournament and appreciation banquet, which recognizes the Lowe’s “Top Gun” store manager of the year. The company understands the position of store manager is one of the most demanding.

Each year, the area managers submit the top three store managers in their area and members of the executive team select three finalists for the contest.

The finalists are chosen based on customer service, store conditions, community involvement, profitability and follow through on company policies, programs and directives.

The winner, or “Top Gun” Store Manager, is crowned at the end of the evening and receives a new pickup

truck. The golf tournament has grown so much that it is held in San Antonio.

At the tournament and banquet, Lowe’s Market also recognizes the vendor or “pardner” of the year. Lowe’s honors a vendor whose service has gone above and beyond.

“We invite every vendor that wants to come play in the tournament,” said Duane Brown, director of management awareness, loss prevention, training and special events. “We cannot be successful without them. So we don't want to just call them vendors because we want them to be part of our family.”

They will be incorporating a H.E.R.O. Award this year.

The H.E.R.O. Award is given to a deserving vendor or teammate who has performed some type of heroic actions that deserve special recognition. H.E.R.O stands for Helping Everyone Restore Optimism.

“If you talk to any of our vendors, they'll tell you

there's not a golf tournament in the United States that rivals ours,” said Roger Lowe Jr., CEO and VP. “It's about us being able to spend time with them. It’s a great Thursday through Sunday weekend with them.

“In today's world, we don't get to see them a lot anymore, and they bring their families. We have entertainment and just have a great weekend.”

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2022 Southwest Retailer of the Year

Town, grocer rally to rebuild San Saba store gutted by fire Officials still marvel at response to 2020 blaze

In the wee hours of Friday, March 20, 2020, tragedy struck the small town of San Saba, Texas as a fire was discovered shortly after midnight at the only grocery store in town, Lowe’s Market.

The local volunteer fire department, along with those from several neighboring communities, fought the blaze through the night and into the next day.

Unfortunately, they could not extinguish it and the store was deemed a total loss.

Couple the destroyed store with the nationwide shortage that grocery stores were experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lowe’s understood townsfolks’ angst.

Roger Lowe Jr. and several key leaders from his company met with city and county officials and committed to doing whatever it took to get a replacement store opened quickly.

What transpired during the course of the next seven days is “nothing short of a miracle,” according to the company.

Al and Kay Stowell of San Saba met

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◆ Volunteers. The list of those who helped make the San Saba Lowe’s replacement store a reality is lengthy, but one specific group Lowe’s mentioned was the Texas Hunters for Heroes – San Saba Texas Chapter. ◆ Teammates. Lowe’s refers to its employees as “teammates,” knowing they are key to the grocer’s success.

Today, there is a new, larger grocery store to better serve the San Saba com­ munity.

In the meantime, the story of the San Saba fire and its response drew recognition from U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway on his Facebook page.

“There is no stronger testimony of true rural American grit, tenacity and community than the incredible comeback of San Saba’s Lowe’s Market,” he wrote. “The store burned at the same time [the] COVID-19 panic swept grocery store shelves.

Within seven days of its total loss, thanks to hundreds of Texans and countless answered prayers, the main food source for San Saba rose from the ashes.”

Roger Lowe Jr. the morning of the fire and agreed to lease their building to Lowe’s as a replacement store site.

“The commitment and devotion to the well-being of San Saba shown by Al and Kay on the morning that I met them, helped us get our replacement store up and running as quickly as we did,” Lowe Jr. recalled.

Additional planning began to transform the small, empty, cinder block building on the city square into a fully functioning grocery store and the goal was to do it as fast as possible.

The planning was finalized by March 23 and the pieces were put into place to make this tall task a reality. The next four days involved constant work.

Many people and companies pulled together to make the store a reality. They included: ◆ San Saba city and county officials. San Saba Mayor Ken Jordan stated, “To see everyone come together like they did, it’s just amazing the unity that we had.

Everyone was willing to help as many hours as needed to get the job done.” ◆ Vendor community. Lowe’s Market refers to its vendors as “pardners.” Many of these partners stepped up and helped in numerous ways during the development of the replacement store in San Saba. Some spent the entire week in San Saba helping wherever needed.

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2022 Southwest Retailer of the Year

From watermelons to Pepsi, company not afraid to go big Stores’ product displays shatter world records

by Eric Pereira / content creator

Lowe’s Market is continuing to go big with its product displays.

Residents of Lubbock, Texas, were treated to a record-breaking display of watermelons on June 2, 2021. The Food King on 82nd Street hosted a watermelon marketing event of epic proportions, with the world’s largest watermelon display Although unverified by the Guinness Book of World Records, the Food King display containing 12,825 watermelons and totaling about 199,000 pounds was substantially larger than the previous mark held

by Cub Foods of Edina, Minnesota.

According to company officials, the Food King display contained 2,625 more melons and was more than 42,000 pounds heavier than the previous record Cub set on July 31, 2014.

“We never certified it as a Guinness World Record just because it’s almost impossible. They wanted the watermelons put flat where they could actually see every single watermelon,” explained John Potter, director of produce operations.

“When you’re dealing with the amount of watermelons we were dealing with…there’s no way from a safety standpoint, from a logistics standpoint, we could do that.”

Potter remembers being asked to come up with a promotion centered on produce and the idea came to fruition through his partnerships.

“It was a lot of fun. It took a ton of folks to build,” he said. “We have some great partnerships. Our warehouse, Affiliated Foods, partnered in this with us. And, obviously, our watermelon broker partnered in it with us as well.

But it was a lot of fun to do – a ton of work. My guys really worked hard for a couple of days – they sold all the watermelons in about five days.”

World’s largest Pepsi display

In 2014, Lowe’s broke the Guinness World Record for the largest packaged product display at a Food King in El Paso Texas.

The display consisted of 71,595 12-packs of Pepsi-Cola product which is more than 17 semitruckloads. The display weighed 744,588 pounds and measured some 16,689 cubic feet.

The grocer hired a licensed engineer to certify the world record measurements.

“To get a Guinness World Record is a big deal,” said Joel Griffith, director of HR. “They come out and they tell you the specs. The 12-packs had to be hand stacked, touching, with no support boards. And we had to have engineers come and study the concrete to make sure that the concrete and the cinder wall that it was on would support the weight.”