COSE knows small business owners face unique challenges and opportunities and can feel alone at times. But, through COSE, you are connected to a network 17,700 peers. Tales from the Trenches brings COSE members together to share their success stories, case studies, best practices and strategies. You'll gain tips and tactics to enhance your abilities as a small business owner.
- share common experiences
- challenges and blunders
- talk about innovative/fresh ideas and techniques
Trend Chasers in Aisle Five at Heinen’s
Presenter: Jeff Heinen, Heinen’s Fine Foods, Inc.
Cultural patterns are shifting to confront third generation supermarket owners Jeff and Tom Heinen. The brothers face two annoyingly conflicting trends in the marketplace, and fight their battle as one of the last of a dying breed: a family run, local chain of grocery stores. But the Heinen family doesn’t run from change of challenge, they embrace it. Here how the two brothers are managing to stay competitive in a competitive industry and learn tips on how to compete in a changing economy.
Joseph Heinen first opened the doors of a small meat market, appropriately named “Heinen’s,” in 1929 on Kinsman Road (later renamed Chagrin Boulevard). Nurturing a personal relationship with his customers, Joe’s business grew and so did his customers’ demands for additional groceries. He added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and from there, Heinen’s Fine Foods as we know it today was born.
Today, grandson Jeff Heinen runs the business and represent the third generation to be involved in leading their team of knowledgeable associates in continuing to serve area customers by delivering on Joe's original philosophy … to provide world-class customer service while offering the freshest, highest quality foods.
Jeff is the President of Heinen’s Inc., a 17 store family owned grocery chain located in Northeastern Ohio. He and his brother Tom He grew up in Cleveland, graduated from Stanford University and has worked with Heinens for 28 years. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Foodbank, University School and Ursuline College.
