Natural Grocers toasts to 66 years in business
To celebrate its 66th birthday, Natural Grocers is planning a three-day event with giveaways, in-store programs and a massive sale with items, including Natural Grocers Brand private label products, at up to 65% off.
The Lakewood, Colo.-based chain Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage operates 161 stores in 20 states. It was founded in 1955 by Margaret and Philip Isely, who had a mission to get out to consumers with books on nutrition and samples of whole grain bread. It’s turned into a full-scale organic grocery store with supplements, household essentials, organic produce and more.
On Aug. 12-14, the family-operated organics retailer is celebrating its 66th year in business and what would’ve been Margaret Isley’s 100th birthday.
The celebration weaves in the retailer’s store brand products by putting many of its supplements and own brand products on sale for three days, upwards of 65% off, but it’s also giving away one prize pack of store brand products at each store. The prize pack includes a $66 Natural Grocers gift card, a backpack cooler, six months of Catalina Crunch cereal and an entire bag of Natural Grocers Brand and more.
The three-day event boasts more than 5,800 giveaways being held at the stores and it can be small from getting a free ice cream dessert on Aug. 12 to loyalty members getting a free Natural Grocers Brand Organic Chocolate Bar and newly designed limited edition 66th anniversary reusable tote with purchase.
Shoppers also will have a shot at winning a grand prize of a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid or $30,000 cash, and additional prizes such as a Peloton Bike, Meier snowboard, Yeti coolers, Natural Grocers gift cards, an Apple HomePod mini, free groceries and swag items by signing up for the anniversary sweepstakes at the locations during the three days.
Additionally, on Aug. 12, the good4u Crew, the retailer’s name for its staff, will randomly award a Natural Grocers branded 20-ounce Hydro Flask to customers at checkout every hour.
“Our anniversary, and celebration of our mother Margaret's birthday, has always been one of our favorite and biggest events of the year," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers’ co-president. “But after the year we’ve all been through together, the celebration means more to us than ever. We are thankful for our community and the way they’ve supported our mission and our good4u Crew for 66 years, and we are looking forward to seeing them all during these fun-filled three days in August.”
Other events being held around the celebration include a game to count how many party hats are visible in the good4u Health Hotline magazine for a chance at $500, a free nutrition education class around the benefits of high-quality chocolate, and an Instagram gift card giveaway.
On Aug. 12, Natural Grocers is also donating 1% of all sales from that day to the Natural Grocers Heroes in Aprons Fund, a newly established non-profit organization which provides short term financial assistance to the company’s good4u Crew members during unanticipated hardships and emergencies.