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Brackett's Market Named 2018 Grocer of the Year

Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association
Awards 2018 Grocer of the Year

AUGUSTA, MAINE  – October 11th, 2018  – The Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association (MGFPA) is proud to announce their 2018 grocer of the year is Brackett’s Market.

Brackett’s Market was founded by Kimberly and Steve Brackett in 1996. The store is locally-owned and an IGA “Hometown Proud” 5-star supermarket. They are deeply committed to being more than just a great grocery store, they strive every day to make a difference in their town. As owners, they work diligently to source local products and continuously support their community. Knowing customers by name, their personal connection in both product assortment and service helps set their independent store apart from the competition.

Steve and Kim spent many years employed at Kroger, originally from the Atlanta, Georgia area, they were intrigued by the allure of owning a grocery store in Maine. It took almost 3 years before they settled on a small storefront in Bath, ME. They made the trek from the South with just two U-hauls in tow and the dream of coming to live and work in Maine. The original storefront, which now serves as the local Amato’s, offered the perfect setting to relocate and set roots in Maine. In 2002, the Bracketts completely renovated an old A&P store building to make room for the Brackett’s Market we know today, located on Front Street in Bath, employing 35 people.

The Bracketts have both spent many years as elected officials including Steve’s role for 6 years on the Bath City Council and Kim on the school board for 8 years. Kim currently serves on the board of directors of the National Grocer’s Association, IGA’s National Retail Advisory Board, and is the former president of the Maine Grocer’s Association. President & CEO, Peter Larkin, of the National Grocers Association, wrote to share his appreciation, “Congratulations Kim on this very well-deserved award. You and the team at Brackett’s should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. I know from my own personal experience of shopping at your store, you have set the standard for what independent grocers are all about by providing high quality products, great service and support for the community. On behalf of the NGA family, we are proud to have you as a member and appreciate your service as a member on the Board of Directors!” We’re so fortunate that Kim has a supportive group behind her which allows her to take time away from the store to be involved in all of these important groups including MGFPA.

The Bracketts noted this award, is more than an award for either of them but it is truly the store’s award. And as best stated by one of the market’s employees “We’re not a company, we’re a family.” Congratulations to Brackett’s Market owners, Steve and Kim Brackett, as the 2018 Grocer of the Year. MGFPA and the grocery community are forever thankful for your dedication to providing the small, independent grocer perspective so that we may all prosper.

The awards were formally presented on Wednesday, October 10th at the Annual Summit in New Gloucester, ME at the Pineland Farms Event Facility. 

The Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association is a non-profit business trade association composed of independent grocery stores and supermarkets, food and beverage producers and manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, and associated service businesses.