Longtime Crystal Grocer Gets Prestigious Honor
The Twin Cities are dominated by major grocery store chains like Cub and Hy-Vee, but there’s a small, community grocery store in Crystal that’s continued to thrive for more than 60 years.
“The store is a community fixture here,” said Mike Maley, the manager of Almsted’s Fresh Market in Crystal.
Almsted’s Fresh Market isn’t your typical grocery store.
“It’s different. Smaller,” said Jim Almsted, who’s owned this small store along Douglas Drive for the last 25 years.
His staff members love him.
“Jim is a great guy,” said Lunette Pilarski-Sorenson. “He’s very cordial to everybody in our store as well as the employees, and he’s a wonderful person.”
The store has fresh produce and deli items just like any other grocer, but what sets Almsted’s apart is the customer service.
“Yeah it’s a little different,” said Almsted. “We bag your groceries and carry them out and we do things a little differently.”
It’s the kind of service that helps them stand out with other big box supermarkets nearby.
“We’re not gonna be the cheapest store in town, but we will hopefully be the friendliest and take care of our customers the best,” said Maley.
Considering that the store’s been around for nearly 65 years, they’re doing something right.
“Yeah,” said Almsted, who suffered a stroke last year, making it difficult for him to communicate.
However, his health condition didn’t stop the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) from naming him to their Hall of Fame.
“It was a complete surprise,” said Almsted.
Jim Almsted, (center), was honored by the Minnesota Grocers Association in July.
Decades of outstanding service
“It was a moving night and very well-deserving,” said Karly Ackerman, director of membership and communications for the MGA.
The MGA held a ceremony in July to honor Almsted for his decades of outstanding service, leadership and lasting contributions to Minnesota’s food industry.
“He is really all that encompasses somebody who really prides himself in being there for the community,” said Ackerman. “And that is very well-deserving of why he was named Hall of Fame.”
Almsted began his career bagging groceries and then worked his way up the ranks, eventually operating four stores.
Through it all, there’s one thing he’s loved most.
“The people. There’s no doubt about it. I like the people,” said Almsted.
Almsted is one of only 32 people who have been inducted into the Minnesota Grocers Association Hall of Fame since 1993.
Related: Longtime Almsted’s Store Manager Retires, Employees Give Him Day to Remember
