Where bright ideas are yours for the keeping. - Wisconsin Grocers ...

2008 GROCER OF THE YEARLeo and Rosemary HansenHansen’s IGA, Bangor, WIGROCER OF THE YEARWhen a small townfarm boy fromBangor and his newwife decided to open a grocerystore after graduating with aMaster’s Degree fromUW–Madison in Dairy CattleGenetics, few could havepredicted the success theywould eventually enjoy.But with a positive attitude,hard work, and a focus on thecustomers’ needs, their newIGA store flourished, and theydecided to expand. And thenthey opened another store.And then another. And thenanother. They built stores fromthe ground up and theyrejuvenated old stores. Thenthey needed to replace thestores that they built withnewer, bigger ones.The Hansen’s businessapproach is inventive, to saythe least. They became one ofthe first grocery stores in theMidwest to add fueling islandsoutside their stores in the early80s. When they needed a wayto compete with the largerwarehouse stores, the Hansensadded a central warehouse totheir operation, allowing themto assure purchasing powerwhile keeping the small-townfeel in all their stores.Family andCommunityDespite years of continualexpansion, the Hansens keptfocus on things that reallymatter to grocers: communityand family. Several ofRosemary and Leo’s childrenhave beenadded tothe IGAteam,serving asmanagersandcontrollers.TheHansenstake greatsteps tohelperadicatehunger inthe areas inwhich they live and work.They are consistently givingmoney to needy familiesduring the holiday season.They work hard to supporteducation and youth programs,including offering tours oftheir stores to encouragehealthy eating. Those studentswho show academic excellenceare often rewarded withscholarships from the stores.The Hansens place a largeemphasis on communitygrowth, investing and donatingto projects that aim to buildcivic improvement and citizenparticipation. They supportgroups who are raising moneythat will be reinvested in thecommunity.EnvironmentalAwarenessRosemary and Leo recognizedearly on the need for anexpanded focus on theenvironmental aspects of thebusiness. Recycling is high ontheir agenda; they providerecycle bins for customers’ usedplastic bags, and they will evenreuse and burn deli cooking oilto heat their stores in thewinter. Hansen’s IGA was oneof the first retailers inWisconsin to offer E-85, andtheir stores feature reusablebags and energy efficient lightsand freezers.An Unlikely RoadRosemary and Leo Hansentook an unlikely route into thegrocery industry, but thejourney churned out a teamthat knows its roots but isunafraid to challenge thefuture. Through the years, theyhave turned a single IGA storeinto a web of retail storesspread across several cities(Bangor, Cashton, Elroy, WestSalem, and Westby) completewith a warehouse, all stillfamily owned.The WGA congratulatesRosemary and Leo Hansen,recipients of the 2008 Grocerof the Year award.The WisconsinGrocers Associationis proud of therecipients of theGrocer of the Yearaward.The WGA Grocer ofthe Year award ispresented annuallyto recognize anindividual(s) fortheir lifetimecommitment to thegrocery industry.They exemplify thehighest leadershipin their business andcommunity andtheir influence haspositively enhancedthe lives of others.PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER2008 Convention Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 27