Crump’s Food Center lauded with award

Crump’s Food Center in Linden, Texas was commended with the Exceptional Independents Award for 2023 by The Shelby Report at the National Grocer’s Associations convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Crump’s Food Center is honored to receive the Exceptional Independents Award for 2023,” Crump’s owners said in a statement. “ Debbie and I didn’t need our arms twisted to come out here, it was easy. We are so grateful to our thousands of friends and customers, as well as our terrific team, that has made this distinctive honor possible,” explains owner Chris Spencer.

According to a report from theshelbyreport.com, 61 recipients of Shelby Publishing’s inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards were recognized on February 27 during a reception at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Shelby President Stephanie Reid said in opening remarks that independent grocers are “the backbone of our industry…a vital part of their communities and lead the way in caring for their customers.”

The reception was part of the 2023 NGA Show, which continued at the convention center through Feb. 28 with some 60 educational sessions and workshops featuring more than 150 speakers. After Reid’s welcome, the sponsors took turns calling the individual honorees to the stage to receive their awards before photos and fellowship commenced.

Like Crump’s Food Center, all recipients of the Exceptional Independents Awards were retailers, which ranged in size from single-store operations to regional chains that represented all corners of the country, “from Delaware to California and Louisiana to Wisconsin and seemingly everywhere in between,” according to a news release.

Crump’s Food Center is known as the East Texas Meat Destination, claiming 75 years of unbroken family member grocery retailing experience serving Northeast Texas as a family-owned-and-operated hometown supermarket.

According to crumpfoods.com, The family business was founded by M.D. and Vivian Crump in 1960, with the company having now been run by three generations of family members–including their children Teresa and Jerry Crump. Now, M.D. and Vivian’s oldest grandson Chris Spencer, a third-generation grocer, also works for the supermarket bringing innovative ideas to the company.

“The company’s flagship location at 704 West Houston Street in Linden, Texas opened in March 2000, underwent stateof- the-art refrigeration upgrades during 2020 in the fresh meat, frozen foods, and produce departments, and partnered with SushiBoi in March 2021 to offer freshly made sushi prepared onsite seven days a week,” said Crump’s Website. “Most notably, the fresh meat department staffed seven days a week with full butcher services has earned the unquestioned distinction as the East Texas Meat Destination, but also cheerfully serves the loyal shopping customers of Southwest Arkansas, Northwest Louisiana, and Southeast Oklahoma.”

Crump’s Food Center said they are also proud to share a ‘home’ with Power’s Pharmacy, which was founded in 2001.

“The symbiotic business relationship enjoyed by these two fine merchants under one roof led to the major renovation and expansion of Power’s Pharmacy in 2020 to include an all-new drive-through pharmacy experience as well as an expanded waiting room and consultation areas to meet all pharmacy needs,” said Chris and Debbie Spencer, owners of Crumps Food Center.