One of the best independent grocery stores in the US? This PA supermarket made 2024 list

Matt DiSanto
·4 min read

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Searching for a new store to spice up your grocery shopping? One market in northeastern Pennsylvania is drawing acclaim as one of the top independent options in the country.

Hayes Market in Waymart was named one of 2024’s outstanding independent grocers across the U.S., according to grocery industry media publication Progressive Grocer. The Scranton-area market earned high praise from Progressive Grocer for its focus on community relations.

Here’s what you need to know about Hayes Market and Progressive Grocer’s Outstanding Independent Award.

What makes Hayes Market stand out?

Hayes Market, located at 686 Roosevelt Highway in Waymart, opened in 2019. President and owner Rich Hayes launched the store after working in other grocery stores for years, including a 12-year stint at Quinn’s Market in nearby Archbald.

Hayes Market stood out en route to earning an Oustanding Independent Award from Progressive Grocery thanks to its work with the community. For more than a decade, Hayes had led and participated in a cycling fundraiser, aptly named Pedaling 4 Paws, that raises money for local animal shelters. August 2023’s fundraiser sent cyclists across more than 300 miles in eight different counties before bringing in more than $52,000.

“The way that longtime cycling enthusiast and animal lover Hayes decided to set his store apart from the competition was through his commitment to community causes, particularly the annual Pedaling 4 Paws charity bike ride,” Progressive Grocer wrote online.

Additionally, Hayes Market has forged partnerships with local school districts and supported employment opportunities for students with developmental disabilities, Progressive Grocer wrote. Hayes received Wayne County’s Employer of the Year award in November 2023.

Those living in northeastern Pennsylvania might catch Hayes promoting his store through a weekly segment on WBRE-TV’s “PA Live!” show.

Hayes Market is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends, according to its website. Shoppers can visit hayesmkt.com to browse weekly sales, clip digital coupons, download recipes and more.

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Progressive Grocer’s Outstanding Independent Awards

Progressive Grocer’s 2024 awards recognized more than 20 U.S. grocery markets and regional supermarket chains, ranging from California and Utah to Wisconsin, Tennessee and Upstate New York.

Some of these independent stores, like Hayes Market, cracked the list individually, while a few others like Louisiana-headquartered Rouses Markets offer more than 60 locations. Progressive Grocer says its Outstanding Independent honorees are selected for their innovation, service and commitment to community support and enrichment.

Here’s a brief look at this year’s Outstanding Independent Award winners, which were listed alphabetically by the publication:

  • Harmons Grocery, headquartered in West Valley City, Utah (20 stores)

  • Hayes Market, headquartered in Waymart, Pa.

  • Nugget Markets, headquartered in Davis, Calif. (16 stores)

  • Oliver’s Market, headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif. (four stores)

  • Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly, headquartered in Cedarburg, Wis. (two stores)

  • PCC Community Markets, headquartered in Seattle (16 stores)

  • Rouses Markets, headquartered in Schriever, La. (63 stores with at least five more under construction)

  • Save A Lot/Dyer Foods, headquartered in Dyer, Tenn. (four stores)

  • Save A Lot/Freeman Family Enterprises, headquartered in Gaylord, Mich. (19 stores)

  • Save A Lot/Frenvey Inc., headquartered in Lake City, Fla. (six stores)

  • Save A Lot/Horizon Group, headquartered in Boardman, Ohio (19 stores)

  • Save A Lot/Houchens Food Group, headquartered in Bowling Green, Ky. (90 stores)

  • Save A Lot/JCP Groceries, headquartered in Canton, N.Y. (nine stores)

  • Save A Lot/McPherson Ltd., headquartered in North Charleston, S.C. (three stores)

  • Save A Lot/MVP Foods, headquartered in Demotte, Ind. (nine stores)

  • Save A Lot/Saver Group, headquartered in Berea, Ky. (39 stores)

  • Save A Lot/Suzanne Schmitz, headquartered in Warsaw, N.Y. (seven stores)

  • Schnuck Markets Inc., headquartered in St. Louis (115 stores)

  • Teal’s Market, headquartered in Albany, Minn. (12 stores

  • Three Bears Alaska, headquartered in Wasilla, Alaska (27 stores)

  • Tom’s Food Markets, headquartered in Traverse City, Mich. (five stores)

You can read up on this year’s honorees by visiting progressivegrocer.com/best-independent-grocers-2024.