[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 76 (Thursday, May 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     REMEMBERING STEW LEONARD, SR.

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart 
to pay tribute to Stew Leonard, Sr., a visionary entrepreneur and 
Connecticut icon, who passed away on April 26, 2023, at the age of 93. 
He will be remembered for creating Stew Leonard's, a beloved chain of 
grocery stores.
  A lifelong Connecticut resident, Stew graduated from Norwalk High 
School and the University of Connecticut's School of Agriculture and 
went on to work for his family's dairy business. At the time, the 
family farm--Clover Farms Dairy in Norwalk, CT--was known for its 
state-of-the-art operation with a pasteurizing and bottling plant and 
delivery trucks outfitted with plastic cows that ``mooed'' for the 
neighborhood children.
  By the late 1960s, Stew had the insight to recognize that the milk 
delivery business was waning. When a new highway was being built with 
Clover Farms Dairy in its path, Stew made the bold decision to 
transform the family business. He decided to build a dairy store, with 
a farmer's market atmosphere and opportunities for children to watch 
milk being bottled while their parents shopped.
  In December 1969, Stew opened a 17,000-square-foot store, carrying 
only eight items. Through his ingenuity, inventiveness, and 
determination, Stew Leonard's grew from its humble beginnings into a 
lasting, beloved Connecticut institution. The flagship store in 
Norwalk, CT, was named the World's Largest Dairy Store, according to 
Ripley's Believe It or Not, and also earned a Guinness World Record for 
having the highest sales per square foot of selling space. Now a chain 
of seven stores across three States, Stew Leonard's has retained its 
family-friendly atmosphere, focus on freshness and quality, and 
reputation for superior customer service.
  Ultimately, Stew Leonard's is a family business, run today by Stew's 
son Stew Leonard, Jr., with support from his siblings and five of 
Stew's grandchildren. Collectively, the Leonard family maintains Stew's 
commitment to excellence and service, gaining generations of loyal 
customers and friends.
  The company has a long track record of charitable endeavors, from 
hosting community food and clothing drives, to Stew's ``Wishing 
Wells.'' Placed at the entrance to every store, the wells collect 
change that is donated to a local charity at the end of every month, 
matched by a donation from the store. For more than 50 years, Stew 
Leonard's stores have become deeply engaged in their communities, a 
testament to Stew's generous spirit.
  I was privileged to know the Leonard family and to attend many events 
with them over the years. I have also been a long-time customer, 
enjoying visits to the Norwalk store with my four children decades ago 
when they would marvel at the mooing cow and other attractions. Stew's 
entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and dedication to the people of 
Connecticut were inspiring, and he will be deeply missed. My wife 
Cynthia and I extend our deepest sympathies to Stew's family during 
this difficult time, particularly to his wife Marianne, his four 
children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in honoring Stew Leonard's life and legacy, 
both large and lasting.

                          ____________________