John Hallinan, a grocery store operator who owned the Dutton Mill Shopping Bag in Aston from 1993 to 2010, has been named Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) 2023 Retailer of the Year, writes Alyssa Adams for CBS Philadelphia.

Today, John Hallinan is a Fishtown grocery store operator, owner of The Richmond Shops IGA.

Hallinan bought The Richmond Shops IGA, formerly a Thriftway, in 1998 when the owners got nervous over a ShopRite opening down the street.

His approach was to “be a great neighbor”.

“A great neighborhood store. If we take care of the neighbors, the business wouldn’t be lost to ShopRite,” Hallinan said.

He’s created an environment where customers and employees all know each other, where customers come to see the people.

“It’s a great culture,” Hallinan said. “Without the people, you could not do it. The people are everything, that’s the employees and customers.”

The atmosphere he’s created is now being recognized with his award.

Retailer of the Year award-winners is among the best of the 30,000 independent grocery store operators in the U.S.

It is the highest honor given annually to retail members by IGA who provide the “best” leadership and excellence in their communities. 

Read more about John Hallinan and the IGA award at CBS Philadelphia.