BILL REMKE - Kentucky Grocers Association

Kentucky Grocers Association &
Kentucky Association of
Convenience Stores
KENTUCKY
ASSOCIATION OF
CONVENIENCE
STORES
Hall of Fame
2009 Inductee
BILL REMKE
Bill Remke
Inducted into the
Kentucky Grocers Association &
Kentucky Association of
Convenience Stores
HALL OF FAME
July 23, 2009
Welcome to the Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame Luncheon
honoring Bill Remke of Remke Markets. Thank you for
participating in today’s event. Your presence alone
speaks volumes for your support of our inductee and
Kentucky’s food and convenience store industries.
With hurried schedules and round-the-clock deadlines,
it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day grind that
we often lose sight of just how precious time is. Even with
recent events, we try so hard to move forward that
sometimes we forget the importance of looking back looking back to discover and acknowledge the people who
have made a difference in our lives.
We are here today not only to take a few trips down
memory lane, but also to take the next step forward and
honor an individual who has and continues to impact all
of our lives.
In thanks for his career to date and in the future serving
Kentucky’s food industry, KGA/KACS welcomes Bill into
the 2009 Inductee Class of the Kentucky Grocers Hall of
Fame. We wish Bill and his family many more years of
success.
Ron Stamper
Ted Mason
KGA/KACS 2009 Chairman
KGA/KACS Executive Director
Today’s Program
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tom Litzler, Remke Markets, Inc. Emcee
11:30
11:45
11:55
12:00
12:30
Seating
Welcome
Invocation - Rev. Richard Wurth, Mary, Queen of Heaven
Lunch
Presentations
• Speakers: Gerry Benzinger, Matthew Remke &
Lauren Remke Overmann
• Video Tributes
• Inductee Introduction
• Inductee Response
Recognition from State and Local Officials:
Kenton County: Ralph Drees, Kenton County Judge Executive
Ft. Mitchell: Tom Holocher, Mayor of Ft. Mitchell
Pat Crowley, The Kentucky Enquirer
th
Message from Congressman Geoff Davis, 4 District KY
Message from Senator Jim Bunning, Kentucky
Lunch
House Salad
Breast of Chicken Marinated
in Italian Seasonings
Rosemary Quartered Potatoes
Pan Seared Summer Mixed Vegetables
Dinner Rolls and Butter
Petite Gourmet Cheesecake
BILL REMKE
In 1897, a young man named William Remke had the foresight and
determination to start his own business. He opened a Meat Market at the corner
of 13th & Holman in Covington, KY. Things went well, and the store moved twice
to larger locations. In 1922 William moved the store to a third location at 19th &
Holman. A Remke Market remained in that same location almost 70 years.
William passed away in December of 1932, not living to see his three sons
expand the Remke business. In 1935, William Remke’s son, Robert, along with
his brothers, William H. and Louis, opened a store in Ft. Mitchell. The three sons
had the vision to expand their horizon. They didn’t just open another meat
market, but offered their customers more than meat, adding produce, canned
goods and bakery products along with their top quality meat products. This was
one of the first self-serve grocery
In 1957, having outgrown its facilities, the Ft. Mitchell store moved to its present
location at the corner of Dixie Hwy and Orphanage Rd. In November of 1970,
Robert passed away, leaving the store in the hands of his wife, Frances. William
had left the company in 1942, and Louis had also passed away. A few years
later, Robert’s son, a young Bill Remke, bought out his mother, and took over
store operations. Bill continued the tradition of expanding Remke horizons.
During his years as Owner, President, and now CEO, Remke Markets has
expanded to eight locations.
In 2002 Remke Markets added Remke’s Drugstore with the opening of two fullservice pharmacies in our Taylor Mill and Newport stores. We have since added
pharmacies to our Buttermilk, Turfway, and Hebron locations.
In 1990, the warehouse and corporate office were moved from the Ft. Mitchell
store to a 67,000 square foot building in Covington. In 2002 the warehouse and
corporate office was moved to Erlanger to a 83,000 square foot building.
Remke Markets had a significant change in 1996, when Bill Remke transferred
the majority of stock ownership in the company to the employees.
As Remke Markets have spanned the centuries, from 1897 to the present year,
we have always remained on the cutting edge of technology. From the purchase
and warehousing of product, to our Information Technology System, to the Front
End System, to our Preferred Customer Program, Remke Markets is state-ofthe-art. We’re proud of our heritage and proud of the fact that some things never
change...Remke Markets is here to stay.
Remkes has always concentrated on customer service. All supermarkets claim
to give good customer service, but at Remkes this is our way of life and all
customer requests are treated the same whether it is made of a bagger, a
cashier, a store manager or the president of the company. For example, at other
supermarkets, when a customer asks a clerk where an item might be located in
the store, they more than likely would reply that it is in aisle so and so. At Remkes
we walk the customer to the item to make sure that they find it. This kind of
service is found in all of our departments. We make sure that the customer gets
what they want. If they want a special cut of meat, the meat cutters cut it for
them. If they want their lunch meat cut a certain way in the deli, we make sure
that it is sliced that way. Our goal is for all cashiers to speak to our customers
and to use their name. This is made easy with the institution of our Preferred
Customer Program.
In 1996 we gave all of our customers a card. Every time that they shop, we
swipe that card and their name appears on the monitor at the register. Their sales
are accumulated in our system and once a month, if the household averages
$30 or more, they receive coupons for free items selected especially for that
household. The value of the coupons increases with the spending of that
household. The value of those free items accumulated over a year, usually
equals about a week’s worth of spending for that household. There are no other
supermarkets in the area who give the equivalent of a free week’s worth of
groceries back to their best customers every year. As you can see, just as we
were able to do in 1897, when you knew every customer who walked through
the door, thanks to technology, we can still give the same personal thanks,
service, and recognition to our customers.
Of course Remke Markets cannot exist except within the extraordinary
communities we serve. We are always amazed at the tremendous effort on the
part of so many people to make this world a better place. We want to help. That is
why Remke Markets instituted the Caring Neighbor Program whereby schools,
churches, and other non-profit organizations can earn thousands of dollars
every year based off of the spending of their members at Remke Markets and we
track it all for them automatically. We also want to publicize the good that goes on
in our community. That is why Remke Markets started the Remke Student
Achiever Program. This program showcases students throughout Northern
Kentucky High Schools who excel in academics, sports, and community
involvement. This program is done with the cooperation of the Cincinnati
Enquirer and Insight cable Company. At the end of the year a recognition banquet
is held and scholarships are given. Remke Markets also spearheaded the
televising of high school football games.
Once a year, Remke Markets hosts the Remke Charity Golf Classic which raises
money to benefit the The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky. Their mission is to
provide opportunities to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to
reach their highest potential educationally.
Remke Markets, along with the help of their extraordinary customers raise a
large sum of money on behalf of the American Heart Association and are a major
sponsor of their Golf Charity Fundraiser and also raise money on behalf of the
American Cancer Society.
The success of Remkes was brought about by diligent work and insight into the
future by a variety of thoughtful employees over the years. This is reflected in our
motto “Our Service Wears a Smile” The future is also very much dependent on
the same and we will only grow to the extent we can service our customers.
Congratulations, Bill,
from Our Family to Yours
For the opportunities Remke Markets
gives to unique products!
Bill
Congratulations on a memorable
career and the lessons taught to
everyone you encountered. I know
Dave Trauth and everyone here who
called on you came away with a
better understanding of what it
takes to attract and keep customers.
Thanks ...
Louis Trauth Dairy
Congratulations
and thanks for your many years
of service to the Kentucky grocery
industry.
Best Wishes!
Mike Wasielewski
Conrad's Food Store - Marion, KY
Congratulations
on your induction into the
Kentucky Grocers Association
Hall of Fame!
Well deserved!
Jean and Bill, Phyllis,
Jim and Martha, and Bobbi!
Congratulations
Grandpa (Pa-Pa)!
We Love You!
Bill Congratulations on your
induction into the
KGA/KACS Hall of Fame!
The Directors, Officers and Employees of
The Bank of Kentucky
would like to congratulate Bill
on his induction to the
Kentucky Grocers Hall of Fame!
Bill:
Thanks for your dedicated service
to your Industry & Community.
Congratulations Bill!
CONGRATULATIONS
to you Bill
from the Grippo Family!
Congratulations
to Bill Remke
from the
Sherwood Food Distributors Team!
Guest List
TABLE SPONSORS & GUEST
(as of 7-20-09)
Laurel Grocery Co.
AWG –Nashville Division
Clark, Schaefer, &
Jim Buchanan
Hackett
Becca Wood-Meek
John McCurry
Denice Hertlein
George Skinner
Tony
Schweier
Milton Milam
Joanna Doerner
Roeding Group
Mike Danes
Brooks Wilhelm
Ken Roeding
Keith Ballinger
Steve Roeding
Terry Roberts
Friends & Family
Roger Roeding
Bob Durand
Bill Remke
Bill Holocher
Lauren Remke Overmann
Steve Sibley
Andrea Remke
PNC Bank
Matthew Remke
Bank of Kentucky
Brian Rigby
Phyllis Remke
Joe Mayer
Chris Belletti
Rev. Rick Wurth
Mark Gerrety
Chris Tschieder
MaryAnn Wainscott
Robert Hadnett
Gary Menne
Butch Wainscott
Sherry Sandusky
Martha Suetholz
Point, The
Jim Suetholz
Judi Gerding
Joe
Greis
Business Benefits
Edna Soete
Bill
Koester
George Beatrice
Jean
Koester
Maureen Townsend
Terri Jacobson
Dan Zalla
Lee Ackerman
Gerry Benzinger
Roeding Group
Linda Benzinger
Ken Roeding
Caito Foods
Steve Roeding
Fred Caito
Louis Trauth Dairy
Roger Roeding
Joeanne Roberts
Tony Ray
Bill Holocher
Dwight Emerson
Joe Himmelheber
Jeff Bowman
Lou Jacobs
Schiff-Kreidler-Shell
Kim Roberts
Mark Wilcox
Joe Caito
Tom Dietz
Phil Caito
John Morrell Foods
Larry Gerwe
Eric Waddell
Tom Thelen
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Tom Colvin
Doug Becker
KGA/KACS
Dave Lewin
Larry Gillespie
Ted Mason
Karen Mccloud
John Morris
Scott Franz
Sam Schneider
Jan Robinson
Ken Oemisch
Matt Mason
John Whitaker
Ron Stamper
Jeff Ward
Pat Hicks
Joe Hughes
Phyllis Hicks
Guest List
(as of 7-20-09)
7up Bottling – Cincinnati
Mark Wendling
Kirk Haas
Ron Shinkle
Flowers Baking
Company
Calvin Duke
Cardinal Health
Gerhard Ahting
Dan Farrell
Interstate Brands
Joey Slone
KY Dept. of Agriculture
Roger Snell
Lipari Foods, Inc.
Keith Raub
Fort Mitchell
Rick Kees
B. Dahlenburg Bonar, PSC Tom Holocher
Barbara D. Bonar
Freshwater Media Mgt. Mike-Sells
Larry Ruschman
Busken Bakery
Dana Skulan
David Ray
Page Busken
Dan Kennedy
Kathy Bizkofer
Grippo Foods, Inc.
Jerry Hawk
Office of the Governor
Boone Conservancy, The
Ralph Drees
Sherry Hempfling
Dan & Judy Heidrich
Catalyst Marketing
Group
Jane Brow
Chas. Seligman Dist. Co.
Jennifer Doering
Shannon Baker
Mike Schwarz
Crosset Co.
Bob Lummis
TBD
Jon Draud
Dressman Benzinger
LaVelle
Mark Guilfoyle
Rick Meyer
Ed Zerhusen
Kelly Gindele
Katelyn's Honey
Millard Long
Kellogg Snacks
Mike Graham
Glenn Carrico
PepsiAmericas
Tom Borchers
Tom Palumbo
Reinhart Food Service
Greg Parker
Congressman
Geoff Davis’s Office
Kentucky & Cincinnati Julea Schuh
Enquirer
Senator Jim Bunning's
Pat Crowley
Office
John Sawyers
Key Quest Wholesale
Mike Pitman
Sherwood Foods
Bill Cramer
Klosterman Baking Co.
Matt Johnson
Skyline Chili
Thom Franz
Charlie Harnist
Kraft Foods
Lewey Knox
United Dairy Farmers
Lonnie Sowder
Guest List
(as of 7-20-09)
Voortman Cookies
Todd Weiner
John & Bonnie Yeager
_______________________
Remke Markets Associates
Tom Litzler
Pat Litzler
Dennis Francis
Jim Schlosser
Connie Flynn
Dottie Weis
Jenny Dickerson
Judy VonHandorf
Karen Wilson
Craig Watkins
Lou Jacobs
Don Fine
George Overbeck
Sarah McKinney
Melanie Trenkamp
JoAnn Giron
Amy Engelman
Jeff Hunter
Mark Ash
Christe Reynolds
Shelby Sebastian
Mike Matracia
Pat Iasillo
Ailene Iasillo
Dick Koppenhoeffer
Tony Souder
Bob Moore
On behalf of Kentucky Farm Families and Producers,
Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer
would like to thank
Bill Remke
for his continuing support of Kentucky Proud.
Congratulations
on your induction in the KGA Hall of Fame.
Advertiser’s Index
Company Name
Page No.
Associated Wholesale Grocers
6
The Bank of Kentucky
12
Business Benefit
7
Caito Foods
13
Conrad’s Food Store
10
Dusing Ice
12’
Grippo’s
14
Kentucky Proud
17
Mary, Queen of Heaven School
8
Schiff-Kreidler-Shell
13
Sherwood Food Distributors
14
Louis Trauth Dairy
9
2009 KGA/KACS
RIBBON SPONSOR
SUPPORT PROGRAM
Diamond Blue Ribbon
$10,000 Level
Laurel Grocery Company
Blue Ribbon
$8,000 Level
SUPERVALU, INC.
Red Ribbon
$4,000 Level
Dean Milk Co.
Flav-O-Rich Dairies
The Coca-Cola Company
White Ribbon
$2,000 Level
Laurel Insurance Agency
Kentucky Lottery
Thornton’s Inc.
Winkler Wholesale Grocers
Special Ribbon
Sponsorships
G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers $1,000
Remke Markets - $500
Conrad’s Food Store - $250
Kentucky Grocers Association/
Kentucky Association of
Convenience Stores
207 Shelby Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-696-9153 - Fax 502-696-9155
www.kgalonline.org
email: ted@kgaonline.org