How one cult grocery chain is navigating the great boomer business handover
Stew Leonard's, a family-owned grocery chain known for its unique, theme-park-like atmosphere, is undergoing a leadership transition. President Stew Leonard Jr. is preparing to pass the business to his daughter, Blake Leonard, and nephew, Jake Tavello, as part of a broader trend of family business succession.
Why it matters
The transition highlights the challenges and strategies involved in maintaining family-owned businesses across generations, a significant issue for the US economy as many business owners reach retirement age.
Roy de la Cruz for BI Stew Leonard Jr. is greeted like a celebrity as he makes his way through his family's business. Known as Connecticut's " Disneyland of grocery stores ," Leonard's locations come complete with animatronics, petting zoos, and costumed mascots. Every few feet, a customer does a double-take and rushes over. Mostly, they want to say hello or ask for a selfie. A few have constructive criticism to share. Over by the Stew Leonard's Farm Fresh Five, a band of singing milk cartons, a mom with two young kids approaches him. She has an idea to make the restrooms more family-friendly, showing a picture of a rest stop bathroom with child-sized toilets and superior design. Stew Jr. tells her to forward the picture to his team. Roy de la Cruz for BI Stew Jr.
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