HR0516 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0516 LRB097 13166 KXB 57672 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Potash family on Potash Markets being named the Illinois Retail Merchants Association 2011 Illinois Retailer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Retail Merchants Association will honor Potash Markets on September 14 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago; the annual award is given to a retailer not only successful in business, but committed to community and civic affairs and respected in the industry; and

WHEREAS, A family-owned and operated business since 1950, Potash Markets is a full-service grocery with three locations in downtown Chicago; siblings Dave, Melvin, Marian, and the late Herbert Potash opened the first store 61 years ago; the 3 surviving siblings still work in the company while Mel's son, Art Potash, serves as CEO; and

WHEREAS, Potash Markets flourishes amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago because it focuses on the people who make up the business; they oblige customers requesting donations for fundraisers, give regularly to neighborhood churches and schools, and even create special memento books to the families of newborn babies; when employees need help, they have offered interest-free loans or arranged flexible work schedules; employees return that loyalty, and many stay at the company for 30, 40 or 50 years; and

WHEREAS, The Potash family gets involved in the industry, through organizations like the Illinois Food Retailers Association and the Food Marketing Institute; Mel Potash is a past chairman of the Illinois Food Retailers Association; Art Potash currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Food Marketing Institute; and

WHEREAS, Retail success is nothing new to the Potash Markets; in the late 1960s, Potash boasted the highest volume sales per square foot of any grocer in the country; recently, the retailer redesigned its stores in an effort to make the customers' experience more satisfying, fun, and convenient; Potash Markets now features the new Sandburg Wine Cellar, a sushi counter run by Chef Danny Chan, a meat department that creates signature sausages in-house, and a deli menu of restaurant quality; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dave, Melvin, Marian, and Art Potash on this honor and wish them continued success for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dave, Melvin, Marian, and Art Potash as a symbol of our respect and esteem.