Around The Store With Stew
We're Open In Clifton!
We just had an exciting opening day at our NEW Food and Wine Store in Clifton, N.J. All the town officials showed up and so did two Jersey milk cows! The highlight of the day was my mom unveiling my father’s bronze statue. Even though he passed away a year ago, he had a big smile! Come on over to our store...we’re open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day! Here’s a little fun behind the scenes video that we captured that night.
Also, thanks to Rich Lung (our Creative Director and has worked at Stew’s for 42 years) and my daughter Chase for an amazing store design. If you get to Clifton, you have to check it out.
What's It Like To Race Against A Gold Medal Swimmer?
My family’s water safety foundation just donated 40,000 free swim lessons to kids in need. Three-time Olympian and gold medal-winner Rowdy Gaines came to our presentation, and I raced him in the pool along with Ali Truwit, a Yale University swimming champ who lost her foot and part of her leg in a shark attack last summer. How did I do? I knew I was in last place when I was halfway through my last lap, and I heard the audience cheering! Ali came in first place – she has her sights set on competing on the world's biggest stage this summer.
Guy Fieri From The Food Network Visits Stew’s In Yonkers
Although he was promoting his new tequila, the highlight of my day was when he tasted one of our steaks. He complimented our chef Chris Papp (CIA grad) on cooking it perfectly (“coast to coast” as he called it). He even signed his chef jacket. Mayor Spano attended the event too along with the Yonkers FD and PD officials. Guy is a huge first responder supporter!
Gardening Is On Your Minds Now!
I just visited our great friend and grower, Joe DeFrancesco, and his family in Connecticut. Their grandfather told them that you can start planning when we get the last full moon in May, which will be on Thursday, the 23rd. Then you can plant! A fun fact is that 60% of all geraniums sold are red!
What A Thrill To Accept The New Jersey Food Council’s Award
Ellen Story (our VP of HR) introduced me. She’s worked at Stew Leonard’s for 30+ years and told me that when she started as a cashier, she had a crush on me. I just learned that in her introduction! When we mentioned that we donated the 40,000 swim lessons to families in need, we received a standing ovation!
Newman’s Own Is Celebrating Paul Newman’s 100th Year Birthday In January
My dad sold Paul’s first bottle of salad dressing at our Norwalk store in 1982. All his profits are donated to charity, which has now reached a total of $600 million. What amazing men. Paul and my dad!
Two Questions I’ve Been Asked Hundreds Of Times (And The Answers)!
I know you love the free ice cream cones and coffees that you get for spending over $100. We’re actually giving away more ice cream cones than ones sold. You’ve asked,
“I have 150 free ice cream cone coupons! I can’t eat that much ice cream or drink that much coffee. What other ways are there that I can use my points?” Voila! This week you can get ground beef at $3.99/lb. if you use 500 points.
Next question: “Can I order my coffee in advance and have it waiting for me when I arrive at the store (just like at Starbucks?” Now, all you have to do is go to your app and follow along under “Mobile Ordering.” Let me know what you think.
What Are Our Farmers Telling Me?
They are all faced with bad weather, plus labor and fuel price increases. The bright spot is that feed prices have dropped. It appears that inflation has been easing.
What's It Like To Taste 200 Wines In Three Days?
Aside from getting red teeth, we went to the largest wine show in the world, Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, which almost 100,000 people attend. We found some great wines for under $20 a bottle. We even found the Pope’s favorite wine. You’ll see it in the store very soon!
I Might Be Prejudiced…But Stew’s Does Have The Best Burgers!
Our Burger Barns have just opened and we’re serving THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN. Where else can you go where the beef is ground fresh that day and the patties are made by hand? Our chefs then grill them and add some of our secret sauce (everyone says they have one of these…but ours is special.) The best part is they are only $4.99 per burger. Add 50 cents if you want cheese. Don’t tell Danny Meyer but I think they are better than Shake Shack’s! Enjoy!
Shhh. A Bigtime Tv Show Was Filmed At Stew’s!
A production crew of 20 arrived from Los Angeles to film at Stew’s a few weeks ago. I can’t tell you much, but the show will air this summer. Don’t tell anybody!
Touch-A-Truck Events Attract Over 1,000 Customers And Their Kids.
Local firehouses and police departments bring trucks and other cool vehicles to our parking lot. Our customers and their families are loving it! Thanks to my nephew Jake for launching this idea.
A Special Honor To Tim Ryan At The Culinary Institute Of America
I attended his retirement dinner after 30+ years as president. He created another CIA school in Napa Valley. My daughter Blake is a proud graduate of their wine program. We’ll miss you, Tim!