Offering fresh, high quality food with extraordinary customer service distinguishes Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway as the go-to grocery store in South Sound. Local shoppers recently voted in the Best of South Sound contest selecting Thriftway as their favorite grocery store.
The Best of South Sound awards are announced each spring. The Olympian conducts online voting January through February. Readers are asked to vote for the ‘best of’ in specific categories such as Best Grocer. The winners are then announced and recognized at a ceremony hosted by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.
Carly Brettmann, Marketing Manager for Stormans, Inc., explains that Thriftway had been a finalist before in both the deli and floral departments but this was the first year to win the best grocery store category. “We are extremely honored and proud to be voted Best Grocer in the South Sound. We have been Olympia’s local grocer since 1944 and have tremendous respect and appreciation for our customers,” Kevin Stormans, President, enthusiastically shared.
Both Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway are the only two locally owned, independent supermarkets in Thurston County. They are owned and operated by the Stormans family. “Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway have served the Olympia community for three generations. We recognize that it is a privilege and a responsibility to demonstrate our support for the local community in as many ways as possible. We strive to carry local products and use local businesses whenever possible. What makes us truly unique is our incredible employees who have a passion to serve our customers,” explains Stormans.
Lori Wilkins, a customer of Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway appreciates the value Stormans’ places on customer service. Wilkins shares “I like that if there is a hard to find product, I can almost always find it at Ralph’s or Bayview. And if I can’t find it, they go to great lengths to get it in their stores for me. I love the fact that they support the community by carrying a large variety of local products.”
Stormans’ commitment to community extends well beyond ensuring they have local products on their shelves. An additional way in which they express their community support is through a Community Rebate Program where shoppers can sign up to designate 1% of their purchases to a participating non-profit of their choice. “We have hundreds of local non-profits that benefit greatly from this program every year,” shares Brettmann.
Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway are unique community grocery stores in that they take great pride offering local and organic produce, diverse products, specialty housewares and healthy beauty items. They also provide helpful services such as a post office, catering, online shopping and a cooking school. Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway focus on providing products and services important to customers as well as creating an enjoyable shopping experience and a rewarding work environment. In creating this atmosphere and exceptional service, Thriftway offers fun promotions such as Kids Club, hand-dipped strawberries for Valentine’s Day, fresh seafood tents, and Produce Happy Hour that are gratifying for shoppers and enjoyable for employees.
Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway not only strive to fulfill their customers’ needs, they want to exceed expectations while demonstrating support for the local community in as many ways as possible. Their product selection quite certainly places them in the top tier of local grocery stores but their commitment to quality and community elevates them above all others. “We are extremely community oriented,” explains Vice President, Greg Stormans. “All of our wonderful staff and management live in Thurston County. We take great pride in the standards we set for the products that we have on our shelves.”
For the latest events and promotions go to Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway Facebook page or visit the award-winning grocer in Olympia.
Ralph’s Thriftway
1908 East 4th in Olympia
360-357-8011
Bayview Thriftway
516 West 4th Street in Olympia
360-352-4897
