STEW LEONARD'S LOOKS AT THE POSITIVE IMPACT
COUPLES HAVE ON COMPANY CULTURE

Tips for Taking Away the Taboo of Workplace Romance

NORWALK, Conn., January 17, 2006 – Dating in the workplace is typically a taboo topic, but at Stew Leonard's, company couples contribute to the family-caring atmosphere the food store is famous for. In fact, 30 percent of Stew Leonard's workforce is composed of families and married couples, many of whom met while on the job, and who continue to work side-by-side after exchanging vows.

While filet mignon, chocolate covered strawberries, long-stem roses and champagne are typically the items on shopping lists as Valentine's Day approaches, couples at Stew Leonard's were asked to share their recipe for relationship success and how it has had a positive impact on the culture at Stew Leonard's.

Lino and Muffy Marini
Lino and Muffy Marini have been married for 36 years, and have worked together in Stew Leonard's Norwalk meat department for six years. Here is their advice on how not to "butcher" a relationship at work:

Treat each other with respect
• "Its fun being able to see the one you love every day at work and at home, but we never let our marriage interfere with the job," said Muffy Marini. "It's very important to respect one another just as we'd respect any other team member at Stew's."


Work together as a team to be stronger as a couple
• "We do our jobs well and efficiently. Our love and friendship is strong and working alongside each other really attests to that," said Lino Marini.


Favorite romantic meal to bring home from Stew's
• "This Valentine's Day, I am going to make veal with Stew Leonard's marsala sauce," said Muffy.

Rich Burghoff and Ragan Gerell
Recently engaged to be married, Rich and Ragan began dating four years ago when they met while working at Stew Leonard's Danbury store. Ragan works in accounting, while Rich is a team member in the garden shop. How has their relationship affected their relationships with co-workers?

Fostering camaraderie among team members
• "Ragan has introduced me to new team members who I do not typically interact with, and this has helped not only link departments together, but broaden our understanding of how the entire company operates," said Rich Burghoff.


A positive attitude is infectious
• "When couples work at the same company, going to work takes on a different meaning. We like going to work each day, and bringing that positive attitude to work with us is infectious – it permeates the entire department," said Ragan Gerell.


Favorite romantic meal to bring home from Stew Leonard's
• "We'll treat ourselves to filet mignon with chocolate covered strawberries for dessert," said Rich. "And of course I will be bringing some long-stem roses home for Ragan."

Fred and Ann Salvino
Ann and Fred Salvino have worked at Stew Leonard's for more than 20 years. They met at Stew's in 1987, and wed in 1993. While Ann still works at the Norwalk store, Fred is now Director of Operations at the Yonkers store. Their tips for making relationships work at work is:

Fostering camaraderie among team members
• Translate the consideration you show team members to each other
• "Have the same consideration and thoughtfulness for each other as you would for other team members," said Fred Salvino. "Treat everyone equally and maintain a level playing field."


Communication
• "It's great that we understand each other's jobs, responsibilities and life at work so we're able to talk to each other at the end of the day and really relate. Communication is the main ingredient to success in a relationship and to being successful at work," says Ann Salvino.


Favorite romantic meal to bring home from Stew Leonard's
• "Porterhouse steaks on the grill, with a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon."

Dave and Tish Blackett
The Blackett family works together in the Norwalk location -- Dave and his three children work in the food store, while his wife, Tish, works in the wine shop. Dave and Tish suggest:

Establish an open door policy
• "If a problem arises with a team member, whether personal or work related, we'll work together as we would in our family to find a solution," said Dave Blackett.


Enjoy what you do and bring that attitude home
• "When you like your job, it doesn't feel like work. The happy environment is contagious and has you wearing a smile home," said Tish Blackett.


Favorite romantic meal to bring home from Stew Leonard's
• "We'll have fresh lobster and a bottle of our favorite Champagne," said Dave Blackett.

"We don't look at ourselves as a family business, but as a business of families," said Jill Leonard Tavello, Executive Vice President of Culture and Communication at Stew Leonard's. "Having families working together has had a positive effect on the culture and contributed to Stew Leonard's being recognized on FORTUNE magazine's ‘100 Best Companies to Work For' for five consecutive years."

Stew Leonard's, a family-owned and operated grocery founded in 1969, has stores in Norwalk and Danbury, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y., with additional stores planned in Orange, Conn. and East Farmingdale, N.Y. The company was named among FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" for the past five consecutive years. For more information visit Stew Leonard's website at www.stewleonards.com.