Simon Christon Keeps Isom IGA in Good Family Hands

Growing up in the aisles of his mother’s grocery store, Isom IGA in Isom, Kentucky, Simon Christon’s childhood memories are filled with moments that made the store feel more like a second home than a business. From running up and down the aisles and sneaking candy bars to playing hide-and-seek in the backroom, the store was where Simon spent much of his time.

In his middle school years, Christon worked weekends bagging groceries and helping customers carry their purchases to their cars, earning the occasional dollar tip. Little did he know, these early experiences would lay the foundation for his future at Isom IGA.

Higher Education and the Pull Back Home

After high school, Christon attended Transylvania University, where he focused on academics and engaged in community service with Habitat for Humanity. Yet, his roots eventually pulled him back home when his mother faced health challenges.

Christon transferred to Alice Lloyd College, graduating in 2019. He then worked as an admissions counselor, traveling extensively to recruit students and speak at high school graduations.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, everything changed. Isom IGA, like many other grocery stores, faced unprecedented challenges: supply shortages, fluctuating product availability, and a workforce stretched to its limits. Eager to help, Christon returned to the family store full-time.

Building Community Through Curbside Service

The pandemic created both challenges and opportunities. To serve their predominantly older customer base, many of whom were hesitant to shop in person, Christon and a college friend introduced a curbside service.

They took orders over the phone, offering a personalized shopping experience that larger retailers couldn’t match. At one point, they were taking 45-50 orders a day, with each cart adding $50-$200 in sales.

Although in-person shopping has returned for many, some customers still rely on Christon's call-in service.

“We try to make it as easy as we can for them,” he said. “They know me now and I know them. I even have some of their orders memorized.”

Christon promotes Isom IGA's truckload meat sale on a Facebook Reels.

From Curbside to Store Manager

Christon's role evolved as he transitioned from running the curbside service to becoming the store manager. He took on a variety of responsibilities, including managing inventory, payroll, and catering orders for local events like birthdays, weddings, sporting events, funerals, and even local hospitals. Christon also spent a lot of time on the road delivering food.

The store has always been famous for its fried chicken and meatloaf — recipes perfected by loyal staff members who have been with the business for decades.

"Those ladies in the kitchen have it down to a science," Christon explained. "Customers ask me how I make it when I deliver the food and I tell them, ‘They just give me an address. I try to stay out of the way over there.’”

This hands-on experience gave Christon a deeper understanding of how much the store means to its customers. It’s not just a place to shop. It’s a central part of people’s lives.

IGA Chairman Mark Batenic, Isom IGA's Gwen and Simon Christon, and IGA CEO John Ross (l to r) on stage in Las Vegas in 2023 as Gwen receives the Spirit of IGA Award.

The Pandemic’s Challenges and Opportunities

Although Simon enjoyed returning to the store, he initially wasn’t sure it was the right long-term decision. He confided to his mom, “I love the grocery store, but it’s a hard industry. I don’t know if it’s something I really want to do.”

However, the more he thought about it, the more Christon felt that Isom IGA was where he was meant to be.

“I just felt like this is where the Lord wanted me to be,” he explained.

The relationships he had built with customers and the sense of community only reinforced his decision to make his return permanent.

In 2022, the Isom region was hit by a devastating flood, which inundated the store and required a full renovation. The Christons seriously considered giving up the business. But, after witnessing an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community, Christon and his family decided to rebuild.

"A lot of our customers don’t view this as a grocery store," Christon explained. "They view it as a place that they can have fun and have conversations and get to learn, you know from meeting other people, it’s more of a community center than a grocery store."

Before the flood, Christon knew people cared for the store and his family, but after the disaster, he saw just how deeply the community loved them.

“That’s probably what has increased my drive to want to continue it as long as I possibly can,” he said. “I now better understand how much this store means to the community.”

The remodeled store includes a Hunt Brothers Pizza.

The Challenges of Running a Small Business

Taking over a family-owned store comes with its own set of challenges. The financial burden of running a small independent business can be daunting, especially when competing against larger chains with greater resources and buying power. Despite these challenges, Christon feels the impact of independent retailers on their communities makes it all worthwhile.

“I believe small independent retailers make a big impact on our community,” Christon said. “We want to make sure everybody knows that they are important, and they matter, that we appreciate them choosing us when they could go anywhere else to spend their hard-earned money.”

To level the playing field with larger competitors, the Christons leverage IGA programs, such as the décor program, to make their store more competitive and appealing to customers.

Carrying on a Family Legacy

Christon's journey to continuing his family’s store is a testament to the enduring value of small businesses in local communities. For Christon, it’s not just about the financial side of the business — it’s about honoring the legacy his mother, Gwen Christon, built. Isom IGA is more than just a grocery store. It’s a place that brings people together, supports local traditions, and creates a sense of belonging.

By continuing to operate the store, Christon carries forward a family tradition that has been woven into the fabric of the Isom community for generations. And with the support of his customers and the community, he remains committed to ensuring that Isom IGA remains a cornerstone of local life for years to come.