The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has awarded Brian and Julie Krueger, owners of Save More Marketplace in Minocqua, Wisconsin, with the IGA USA Retailer of the Year and the Archie McGregor Quality Without Compromise Awards.
The Kruegers were recognized at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Monday, February 24, in Las Vegas, Nevada. IGA honored the Kruegers along with seven other U.S. retailers and IGA Australia and South Africa’s International Retailers of the Year. The awards are the highest honors the Independent Grocers Alliance bestows upon its retailer members and are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities. The store was nominated by their Licensed Distribution Center UNFI.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the Kruegers and Save More Marketplace.
In the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods, the town of Minocqua has a year-round population of less than 5,000 people. But with plenty of outdoor activities in both the summer and winter, tourists more than quadruple that number in the town’s most popular months.
Owners Brian and Julie Krueger, together with co-owners Gregory and Kathryn Horn and Michael and Ann Jacobson, ensure Save More Marketplace offers year-round appeal for customers far and wide. They start by touting the charm of their northern paradise with murals depicting the rich history of the area, and they finish with a commitment to deliver the best in everything they do.
Save More Marketplace General Manager Jeff Steinbach holds the Retailer of the Year certificate surrounded by the team.
Around every corner in Save More Marketplace, you’ll find a treasure trove of quality products at great prices, from a bountiful selection of fresh organics in The Produce Patch to a banquet of prepared salads, sandwiches, quiches, take-and-bake pizza, and hot food selections in The North Woods Delicatessen.
Move on to The Meat Shed to find quality, fresh cut meat and pork, the store’s signature specialty products like hot and spicy, bacon-wrapped, and parmesan-crusted chicken, and a huge selection of seafood, including lobster tails and snow crab legs.
Rounding out this incredible shopping experience is a scratch bakery that sets the standard for excellence. The aroma of fresh baked goods fills the air from morning to night, highlighting a dazzling display of irresistible delights — including daily staples like muffins, donuts, cupcakes, and cookies as well as fresh-made cakes and artisan pastries.
There’s no question why this highly seasonal business thrives year-round. Save More Marketplace boasts many long-tenured employees, including Don Jung with 52 years of employment, and Pam Siech and Stacey Spleha, who have worked together for almost 40 years in the bakery and deli and have become the heart of the team.