Address: 3255 Golf Road, Delafield
www.sentrydelafield.com
Industry: Retail Food/Grocery
Employees: 70
As a teenager, James Albrecht grew up working in the grocery business for Herb Kohl at Kohl’s Food Store. After rising up the ranks, he and his wife, Nancy, took over the small Sentry store in Oconomowoc in 1986. The grocery industry became a family affair.
James and Nancy opened the Delafield Sentry in 1994. The Albrecht’s credit the family-like culture that extends to all employees and customers, and the commitment to the local community at the Albrecht’s Sentry Delafield Market for the company’s continued success.
Albrecht’s daughter, Michelle Harrington, grew up working in the store, and worked full time after her high school graduation before earning her degree in education. In 1999, she stopped teaching to make her family’s business her full time career.
Now, as president, Harrington strives to build on the success of the business through continued focus on family and commitment to the local community.
“This is a tough industry,” she said. “Our success is driven by our outstanding employees, the customer service we provide and the value in fresh and local products in our store.”
Albrecht Foods strongly supports the local community and regularly purchases fresh produce from local farmers, and local craft food producers that produce, salsa, honey or candies, Harrington said.
“People recognize that, and they appreciate the support for local products,” she said.
The support for the community extends beyond just purchasing their products, Harrington said. The store regularly sponsors youth sports teams, hosts fundraisers and give back programs for local schools and nonprofit organizations.
“It’s part of who we are,” she said. “We live in this community. Our employees are our extended family. I think people are proud to work here and our involvement and commitment to the community is something that differentiates us. We’re proud of that.”
