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Marie started with the company in 1960 as a part-time cashier. Lauri was a bagger and stocker in her teens. Learning the business from the ground floor has given Lauri and Marie a unique perspective. Both women know the secret recipe for a great grocery store is delicious, fresh food and friendly, helpful employees. Along with their team of over 800 dedicated associates, Marie and Lauri have grown the company into one of the largest independent grocery store chains in the Midwest.
After working her way up through the ranks of the company, Marie bought Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc. from its founder "Wild Bill" Knowlan in 1989. The company has since expanded to include seven Festival Foods, two Knowlan's stores and four Dunn Bros coffeehouses.
Marie studied Grocery Management at Cornell University as well as Business Administration at the University of St. Thomas. She served on the Board of Directors of Minnesota Food Retailers, the Minnesota Grocers Association and the Food Marketing Institute.
Lauri joined Knowlan's Super Markets Inc. in 1991 as its Controller, later promoted to CFO, Executive Vice President, most recently she was promoted to President and COO in July of 2005. Lauri serves on the Food Marketing Institute Board of Directors as well as the FMI Independent Operator Board, and Editorial Board of Progressive Grocer Magazine. Before joining Knowlan's Lauri enjoyed a successful career with an educational publisher, studied at Macalester College and the University of St.Thomas.
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