GOACC Awards
GOACC Awards
OLEAN, NY - Service Stores, also known as Park & Shop and owned and operated by the Mahar Family, have been operating and thriving in the greater Olean area for more than 95 years. They have been selected to receive the Enterprising Business award from the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce this year.
“For nearly 100 years, the Park and Shop Service Stores have been our reliable neighborhood stop for groceries and essentials, and a staple in our business community. From one generation to the next, the Mahar family has continued to deliver strong customer service, quality products, small-town values, and a commitment to the greater Olean area,” said Mari Howard, president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
From a nomination form submitted by John Sayegh, “The Mahar family continues to contribute to the well-being, vitality and viability of our residents and communities. The Mahar families’ generous ‘giving’ to almost all the ‘good’ causes and community projects has positively impacted the lives of residents and communities they serve.”
HISTORY OF THE F.J. MAHAR PARK & SHOP SERVICE STORES
(from parkandshopservicestores.com)
The world of 1923 was very different than the world we know today. World War I had ended five years before, women in the United States had gained the right to vote only three years previously, and prohibition was in full force, with "rum-runners" making the headlines daily. Closed cars were just gaining popularity, and Babe Ruth was hitting home runs for the first place Yankees. In the summer of 1923, President Warren G. Harding toured the Alaskan Territory, but his term of office was cut short by a fatal illness, and the new President, Calvin Coolidge, was inaugurated in early August.
At this time in Olean, New York, Francis J. Mahar was starting out in the grocery business, working for the Market Basket Stores. Eager to venture out on his own, on his eighteenth birthday, October 13, 1923, he opened the first Service Store on Center Street in Olean. He continued working at Market Basket until 1936, when he decided to devote full time to his own business. By that time, in addition to the Center Street location, there was a Service Store at 1504 West State Street, another at 1020 North Union Street, and a fourth in Arcade. By 1942 the Center Street store had outgrown its building, and a new Boardmanville store was opened at the corner of Main and Front Streets.
As the stores expanded from small neighborhood groceries to modern, computerized supermarkets, the original name of Service Stores also grew to include Park and Shop. These words, originally added to advertise the availability of free parking, have come to be used interchangeably with the name Service Stores.
While Francis Mahar, Sr. was the founder and driving force behind the Service Stores, their growth and success would not have been possible without the help of many other people. His wife, Margaret, who began working for the Service Stores prior to her marriage, assisted him in many capacities, serving as treasurer of the corporation until her death in November 1997. She also raised a family of nine children, all of whom worked in the stores while they were growing up. In addition to his immediate family, Francis also received assistance from his cousin, Frank. J. Ryan of Allegany, who served as vice president of the corporation, and his close friend, Harry M. Pike, who was secretary and office manager. Long-time friend and manager of the Front Street store, Marty Ruth, later became vice president. Marty and his wife Ann both served the company for almost sixty years, and their friendly, familiar faces were well known to generations of Boardmanville shoppers.
Active in the business until his death in 1980, Francis Mahar’s legacy was carried on by five members of the second generation, all of whom had worked in the stores since childhood. Francis (d. 2015), James, Paul, Thomas, and Daniel (d. 2001), continued the tradition of service inherited from their father. This legacy continues today as several third-generation family members are also involved in the family business. Although many changes have occurred in the grocery industry since Francis Mahar, Sr. founded the first Service Store, his family has continually carried on his underlying principle of service.
Over the years, the warehouse business was phased out and today the corporation is a member of the Olean Wholesale Grocery Co-Op. There are now three modern supermarkets in Olean and Portville. The corporate offices are now located on Thirteenth Street, in a remodeled building near the store at Thirteenth and West State Streets. Just as the world of 1923 was a far cry from the world today, so have the small neighborhood groceries evolved into modern, computerized businesses with large delis providing carry-out meals, a website and updated blog with weekly specials, an internet newsletter, and many other additions never envisioned in 1923.
Francis Mahar Sr. first started a small grocery store emphasizing service, and this spirit lives on today. His family, friends, employees and customers owe much to the eighteen-year-old Market Basket worker who wanted to start his own store and who went on to leave a twenty-first century supermarket chain as his legacy.
THE L.O.U.I.E. AWARD
Christopher Napoleon received the “L.O.U.I.E.” award from the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, which is awarded to an exceptional person who epitomizes the enterprising spirit and the qualities embodied in the life of Louis Marra.
“Chris personifies these traits in his personal, professional, and family life, and we are pleased to recognize his many achievements and contributions to the quality of life in the Olean area with this award,” said Howard.
GOACC’s L.O.U.I.E. Award stands for ‘Love of Olean United in Enterprise.’ Howard added, “I cannot think of anyone more deserving for this award than Chris Napoleon.”
Christopher Napoleon, founder and president of Napoleon Engineering Services was born and raised in Allegany, NY. After graduating from (the former) Allegany Central School, he attended Pitt-Bradford for two years before transferring to the Pittsburgh campus to complete a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Chris earned a Master of Science in manufacturing management from Kettering University in Flint, Mich.
Chris began his manufacturing career as a bearing engineer position with MRC. He relied on his education, entrepreneurial spirit and experience in creating his own business. Chris started NES in his garage, a business that has continued to grow year after year since its inception.
From a nomination form turned in by Melissa Curran, “Chris is a humble, patriotic, generous human. He strives to support the local economy, to compensate his employees to the best of his ability, to provide ongoing training to support their careers, and to support manufacturing education, opportunities and overall economic growth throughout the WNY area. He is a quiet, careful person who leads by example in everything he does.”
Chris quietly, faithfully devotes his time to numerous organizations because he believes that Olean and the people who live here are special. He is passionate about encouraging economic and social growth in our community. That statement was from a nomination by Karen Fohl, past Olean General Hospital Foundation President and VP for Institutional Advancement.
In addition to his business, Chris is instrumental in many committees/ organizations: member of the Workforce Development Board, current honorary member and past chairman of the Olean General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, board member of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, president of the Cattaraugus/ Olean Airport Support Group, member of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Advisory Board, and a participating member of the Olean Executive Alliance. Chris was presented the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association Award of Distinction.
Anyone locally knows his sense of responsibility to his hometown; philanthropy and humanity to the community and his employees. According to Chris, “I am proud of our area and the people who live and work here. Starting a business has allowed me to really understand what a community is all about and to value all the positive things we have within our region. I could probably live anywhere, but I’m so happy to be here.” Chris lives in Allegany, New York with his wife Melanie (Parada)Napoleon, has three children, Roman, Gustave and Angelina.
Although a formal ceremony will not be held in 2020, GOACC recognized both for their involvement and commitment to the greater Olean community. They will be formally recognized in 2021 with the 2021 awardees. This year’s recipients have gone above and beyond to enrich the lives of so many who call the Olean area home.