In each issue we focus on a TGCSA member who exemplifies success in the food industry. The Volunteer Grocer is proud to present Cooke’s Food Stores as its Feature Member. We recently had the privilege of speaking with Dan and Britney Cooke, representing the 3rd & 4th generations of a family business that has prospered, in spite of fierce competition, because of its commitment to community. Here is their story.

There aren’t many independent food retailers that can say they have consistently been in business for almost 75 years. In 2011 the Cooke family in Cleveland, Tennessee will celebrate their 75th anniversary of business. The first store opened in Flint Springs, Tennessee in 1921. JM Cooke ran several successful rural Bradley County markets for eight years in the 20’s before selling the business in 1929. JM didn’t stay out of the business long. After a six year hiatus because of a non-compete agreement, JM and his sons JD and Carl started the successful Cooke’s retail operations on the courthouse square in Cleveland.

In the late 1950’s JM and JD Cooke sold the business to Carl. Carl soon realized that the old downtown location was inadequate, so in 1962 he opened a new location on Broadstreet just down from the courthouse location. The store filled a niche near new neighborhoods, with a focus on community involved, full service grocery retail, provided by local neighbors. Carl received the MC Headrick Free Enterprise Award for his entrepreneurial spirit and his support of his hometown in 1992.

In 1972 Dan Cooke, Carl’s son, joined the organization and within five years Cooke’s had opened up two additional locations - Spring Place Road and Keith Street. Through the 70’s and 80’s Cooke’s operated successfully out of three locations. In 1992, the Broadstreet location was sold because the facility could not handle the volume of the other stores.

As competition heated up in the 90’s, Cooke’s reacted with a second banner, SuperSaver Cost Plus. The cost plus format was perfect for very rural locations and expanded the demographic served by the retailer to include rural, cost conscious shoppers at a time when mass merchandisers were expanding to small towns. The concept prospered, and today Cooke’s operates seven SuperSaver Cost Plus locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Carl passed away in 1995, and at that time turned over the business to Dan Cooke and his daughter, Becky Smith. Dan and Becky were keenly aware of the importance of community and were always involved at every level. In 2006, Dan and Becky became the second generation of Cookes to receive the MC Headrick Award. This is the only time in the history of the much esteemed MC Headrick Award that two generations of the same family have won the award.

Over the years, the Cooke’s have continued to recognize opportunity with successful expansion into the restaurant industry with 16 Panera Bread locations, and the opening of Season’s Harvest Market in Cleveland, a full service retail concept focused on delivering the highest quality meat, produce and prepared foods.

Although Becky Smith passed away in 2007 of breast cancer, her community spirit lives on through the annual Becky C. Smith Memorial Golf Tournament, with proceeds being donated to The Breast Cancer Network of Strength which provides support and counseling to breast cancer patients. Proceeds also benefit the Brenda Davis Fund and a University of Tennessee – Chattanooga business scholarship in Becky’s name.

Britney Cooke, Dan’s daughter, recently returned to the organization to assist in a marketing role focused on the latest industry marketing trends, use of the internet and involvement in local community events.

Throughout the history of the Cooke’s organization there has been one focus and that has been to serve the community that has allowed them to thrive for almost 75 years. And that is the secret of any successful venture - to serve, to fill a niche and to never forget the neighbors who allowed them to be a part of their lives.

The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association is proud to have Cooke’s Food Stores as an active member. Dan Cooke served on the association board of directors from 1993-1999 and Britney Cooke is currently serving as a member of the Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation Board of Trustees. We thank the Cooke family for their support and contributions to the food industry in Tennessee.

If there is a member you would like to see featured, please contact Jarron Springer at 615-889-0136.