Title: Owner
Company: Foodtown
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Shady Widdi, owner at Foodtown, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements and leadership in the supermarket industry.
For more than 20 years, Mr. Widdi has established himself as a prominent entrepreneur focused on the grocery industry in the New York Metropolitan Area. His connection to the grocery industry was rooted in his youth, as his grandfather and father were owners of supermarkets where he had worked during his formative years. By the time he reached his teenage years, he was appointed as the head of his family’s supermarket’s second location, the performance of which tripled under his leadership following renovations in 2016. In the years that followed, Mr. Widdi remained committed to growing his business in spite of the difficulties of the marketplace, including increased regulations, rising costs, and competition from franchise supermarkets.
Further motivated by his desire to provide for his family, Mr. Widdi faced increased hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the obstacles in his path, he decided to launch a Foodtown location in Park Slope, Brooklyn in 2020, which was warmly received within his community and flourished soon thereafter. As a co-op member of Allegiance Retail Services, Mr. Widdi eventually expanded his ventures with Foodtown location with a 15,000 square-foot store in Bushwick, Brooklyn, which garnered media recognition for its notable European-inspired architecture, custom state-of-the-art design features, and exotic produce offerings.
Having found success as an owner of multiple Foodtown locations, Mr. Widdi has gone above and beyond to ensure their high standard of service is maintained, which includes meeting the various needs of their customers, reviewing their business operations, and solidifying competitive and yet reasonable prices. By emphasizing the need to maintain a personal connection with his customers, he has cemented his reputation and that of his supermarkets within their respective communities. Mr. Widdi is forward-minded as a supermarket owner, consistently prioritizing the fostering of a unique atmosphere, the promotion of deals to attract lower-income customers, and the growth to guarantee the evolution of his Bushwick location over his 50-year lease.
Mr. Widdi’s educational background includes an associate’s degree in business, which has been instrumental in shaping his business acumen and strategic thinking. He was additionally driven by his experiences across Europe, where he was greatly inspired by the advanced and groundbreaking designs of their supermarkets. Mr. Widdi is also grateful to receive inspiration from his loving father, who taught him the importance of resilience, business savvy, and selflessness as an extraordinary figure throughout his life.
The influence of Mr. Widdi’s family is deeply ingrained in his professional journey. Growing up in a culture that values respect for elders instilled in him a profound responsibility to please his father, whose accomplishments as a Palestinian American have been a source of inspiration to people across the nation. As a result of his experiences, he is a firm believer in pushing a unified vision between himself and his store managers in order to avoid becoming complacent or neglecting critical issues affecting his business.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Widdi enjoys spending time with his four daughters and family, cherishing these moments as a source of inspiration and motivation for continued success in both personal and professional endeavors. Looking toward the future, he hopes to open additional stores and develop a new brand.
Contact Mr. Widdi: