IGA USA Retailers of the Year Todd and Sarah Daniels of Todd's IGA Express

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has awarded Sarah and Todd Daniels, owners of Todd's IGA Express in Trenton, Ohio, with the IGA USA Retailer of the Year and the Ricky St. John Taking Care of People Awards.

IGA CEO John Ross, Sarah and Todd Daniels, Laurel Grocery Company CEO Winston Griffin, Laurel Grocery Company VP Marketing, Advertising & Customer Communication Jake Jennings, and IGA Chairperson Mark Batenic (left to right)

The Daniels were recognized at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on February 24, 2025 in Las Vegas along with seven other U.S. retailers and IGA Australia and South Africa's Retailers of the Year. The awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members and are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities. They were nominated by their licensed distribution center Laurel Grocery Company.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Daniels and their unique store.

"I first opened the doors to my store with nothing more than a dream and a drive to serve my community," Todd Daniels said. "It’s been an unforgettable journey — challenging, rewarding, and deeply fulfilling."

Todd Daniels, center, holds the IGA USA Retailer of the Year certificate during IGA CEO John Ross' visit.

The Daniels have now owned and operated the store for 38 years, beginning with a 3,600 square foot store that has grown to 9,800 square feet. They make renovations every 4-5 years to stay ahead of customer needs. Recently, they expanded their deli and hot foods section to better serve their shoppers delicious and convenient meals.

The offerings at Todd's IGA Express cater to all customers, from $5 meal deals to USDA Prime beef cut in-house. The deli features freshly crafted salads, sides, and entrees. Every day, the team serves 300 breakfast sandwiches, brews 200 pots of coffee, and prepares 200-300 lunches. Their dining rooms attests to the food's popularity, which is frequently filled with customers from state politicians to coffee club regulars.

While it's clear Todd and Sarah Daniels are dedicated to their customers, they're equally as invested in their employees, growing talent from within. Every manager started as a high school stockperson in the store and today, these talented individuals work alongside the Daniels, developing their strengths and gaining confidence to excel in the grocery business.

In addition, Sarah, who is a longtime advocate for developmentally disabled artists, has inspired the store to truly be an equal-opportunity employer, guiding employees with developmental disabilities to become integral members of the team. This effort has brought incredible pride and dedication to each member of the store team.

Todd’s IGA Express may be a small community grocery store, but they have big ambitions and an even bigger heart. As Todd said, "We're not just in the grocery business — we’re in the people business."