It's not easy to operate a family-run grocery store in an age of huge supermarkets, but Alex Stewart said that being a part of the community sets his family business apart. And it's working, as Walter Stewart's Market celebrates its 103rd year in New Canaan.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the store is holding Donation Days, in which customers can donate their accrued store incentives to local charities. For their purchases, customers earn "T-Bills," which are applied toward future discounts. From Oct. 21 to Oct. 24, customers can give those earned rewards to a local charity on the market's list. The store will cut checks to charities for the amounts donated. "Over the years, we've given well over $100,000," said Stewart.
Stewart's uncle came up with the idea for the T-Bills, named after the government-issued Treasury Bills. The discount dollars are also a reference to the store's Model T automobile.
The store holds at least four charity drives per year, he said, in addition to joining in such fundraising efforts as those for Hurricane Katrina and Haiti earthquake relief. "It's one of the things that sets us apart from the big chain supermarkets," said Stewart.
The drive that touched Stewart the most benefited Peter Lewis, a 30-year employee who had special needs. "He was a bit of a local celebrity," said Stewart. Eventually, Lewis needed to quit working and go into a supported living situation. "We did a special T-Bill donation to help get him into the Waveny Care Center and help with his costs," said Stewart.
Customers will have a choice for this Donation Days drive, and Stewart encourages them to give what they can. "Whatever their T-Bill balance is, it might be 50 cents or $1, and we have some with hundreds, people can donate as much as they like," he said.
Walter Stewart's Market has joined Main Street Connect by purchasing an annual visibility package.
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