Scolari's Food & Drug Company
Grocery | Liquor | Bakery & Deli | Meat & Seafood | Produce | Pharmacy | Floral

Scolari’s Food & Drug Company is an independent food store chain currently operating nineteen supermarkets in Northern Nevada and the California Central Coast. Ten Stores are located in the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, in the communities of Carson City, Gardnerville, Fernley, Yerington and Tonopah, Nevada, with each having one store. The California stores are located in the cities of Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. The company is headquartered in Sparks, Nevada.

History

The Scolari family started in the grocery business in California in 1947 when Joie Scolari and his father opened the first Scolari’s grocery store. That original business grew to a total of twelve stores, and in 1979 was sold to Lucky Stores, Inc. In 1982 the Scolaris purchased an ownership interest and management control of a chain of stores based in Reno, Nevada. Donald Baldwin had founded the chain, known as Warehouse Markets, Inc. in 1958. In 1987 the corporate name was changed to Scolari’s Warehouse Markets, Inc. and in 1991 the trade name of Scolari’s Food & Drug Company was adopted to more accurately reflect the nature of the stores. In 1992 the Scolaris purchased Mr. Baldwin’s remaining interest in the Nevada Stores.

Nature of Stores

The stores operated by Scolari’s vary in size and sales volume, as well as marketing strategy. Three stores are “conventional” supermarkets. Three stores are “box stores” operating under the trade name Sak ‘n Save, which place greater emphasis on economy. Thirteen stores are “superstores”, Scolari’s answer to the industry trend to position the supermarket as the consummate retailer, a one-stop provider in an increasing array of products and services. These stores have various specialty departments such as full service bakery/deli, pharmacy, full service meat/seafood and floral.

All Scolari’s stores are clean and well stocked with a large variety of quality merchandise. Additionally, Scolari’s takes great pride in providing a high level of customer service.

Management

Joey and Jerry Scolari are very much hands-on owners and spend time in each store regularly. They have assembled a capable management team and successfully compete against much larger regional and national food store chains.

In 2003, the Scolari family was inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement in recognition of their many years of dedication to the food industry and the communities they serve.

The Environment

Scolari’s demonstrates their concern for the environment by providing plastic bag recycling barrels at the entrances of every store. Scolari’s recycles over five tons of plastic bags annually as well as twenty-four hundred tons of cardboard. Scolari’s also offers their customers for purchase, reusable shopping bags and credits customers five cents per bag every time customers use them when they shop.

Community Involvement

Scolari’s believes strongly in giving back to the communities in which business is conducted by supporting United Way of Northern Nevada, Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Military Alliance and numerous other local charities.

In addition, Scolari’s is a proud sponsor of many community events, which include the Reno Rodeo, the Reno National Championship Air Races and more.