Our Awards

Kowalski's and Mary Anne Kowalski holding EY Entrepreneur of the Year trophies
  • 2023 Judge's Choice Burger Winner – Minnesota Monthly's GrillFest
  • 2022/2023 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year, Kowalski's White Bear Lake Market
  • 2022 20 Best Regional Supermarket Chains of All TimeFood & Wine Magazine
  • 2022 Top Work Places – Star Tribune
  • 2022 Outstanding Independent RetailerProgressive Grocer
  • 2021/2022 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year, Kowalski's Woodbury Market
  • 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, Jim and Mary Anne Kowalski – Minnesota Grocers Association
  • 2021 Top Work Places – Star Tribune
  • 2021 Outstanding Independent Retailer by Progressive Grocer
  • 2021 Best Rotisserie ChickenRacket
  • 2020/2021 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year, Kowalski's Oak Park Heights Market
  • 2020 20 Best Regional Supermarket Chains of All Time – Food & Wine Magazine
  • 2019/2020 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year, Kowalski's White Bear Lake Market
  • 2019 First retailer to achieve Leader Status in the James Beard Smart Catch seafood sustainability program
  • 2019 First multi-location retailer in the country Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care
  • 2018 Outstanding Disability Employer – Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation
  • 2018 Best Frozen PizzaCity Pages
  • 2017/2018 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year – for Kowalski's Shoreview Market
  • 2016/2017 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year – for Kowalski's Woodbury Market
  • 2015/2016 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year – for Kowalski's Woodbury Market
  • 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year, Heartland Retail & Consumer Products Category – EY
  • 2016 3rd Place Family Business, National – EY
  • 2016 Hunger Hero – Second Harvest Heartland
  • 2012 Top Women in Grocery, Senior Level Executive, Kris Kowalski Christiansen – Progressive Grocer
  • 2012 Creative Choice Award for Advertising, Best Television Commercial – National Grocers Association
  • 2011 Family Business of the Year Award – University of St. Thomas
  • 2011 Golden Apple Award – Minnesota Dietetic Association
  • 2011 Outstanding Independent Community-Based Retailer of the Year – Progressive Grocer
  • 2011 Best Rotisserie ChickenMpls.St.Paul Magazine
  • 2010 Service to Humanity Honoree, Jim Kowalski – United Hospital Foundation
  • 2009 Working with Experience Award – Dakota County Living Longer & Stronger
  • 2009 American Business Ethics Award Finalist
  • 2006 Best of the Twin Cities, Best Gourmet Grocery – City Pages
  • 2005 Best of the Twin Cities, Best Gourmet Grocery – City Pages
  • 2005 Starr Award for Interior Design – Minnesota Shopping Center Association
  • 2005 Employer of the Year – The Arc of Minnesota
  • 2004 Outstanding Grocer Award – Minnesota Grocers Association
  • 2004 Employer of the Year – Merrick, Inc., and AbiliTech Enterprises
  • 2002 Woman of the Year, Mary Anne Kowalski – National Grocers Association
  • 2002 Best of the Twin Cities, Best Gourmet Grocery – City Pages
  • 2001 Creative Choice Award for Best Non-Price Print Ad – National Grocers Association
  • 2001 Gold Medal AwardMpls.St.Paul Magazine
  • 2000 Starr Award for Design & Architecture – Minnesota Shopping Center Association
  • 1997 Best Family-Run Grocery StoreMpls.St.Paul Magazine
  • 1990 Grocer of the Year – Minnesota Grocers Association
  • 1987 Best Neighborhood Grocery Twin Cities Reader
  • Employer of the Year St. Paul Rehabilitation Award
  • Governor's Award for Outstanding Community Spirit & Participation – State of Minnesota
  • Best Small Retail Full Service Business Award – KSTP-TV Channel 5