Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Wickey.
Sam, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Sam Wickey, and my wife Miriam and I own Discount Foods of Bronson. We’ve been married for 22 years and have built this business together from the ground up. Our store manager who also happens to Miriam’s sister, Martha, has also been a vital part of this journey.
We started small—just a 1,000-square-foot storefront at 123 North Madison Street in Bronson. At the time, we saw a real need in the community for affordable groceries, and we also wanted to create a job for my aging parents.
We quickly outgrew that space and bought the old ice cream shop at 867 West Chicago Road on the west end of town. In 2015, we added 3,600 square feet, and in 2019, we expanded again with another 2,800 square feet.
Eventually, even that wasn’t enough. About five years later, we purchased five acres a mile west—at 949 West Chicago Road—and built our current 20,000-square-foot facility.
While the building has changed, our mission hasn’t. We’re still serving our community with the same focus on value and quality that we started with—just on a much larger scale. Today, we employ about 14 people and are able a lot more people than we did in the beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it really hasn’t. We’ve definitely faced some challenges along the way. Product availability has been one of the biggest—just keeping the shelves full through supply chain issues and price changes. And finding good, dependable people has been another ongoing struggle. But we’ve learned to adapt, build strong relationships, and keep moving forward. It’s made us better in the long run.
We’ve been impressed with Discount Foods of Bronson LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Discount Foods of Bronson, our goal has always been simple—to offer quality food at affordable prices while serving our community with honesty and care.
We specialize in discounted and closeout groceries, but what really sets us apart is the personal touch. We’re family owned and operated, and we know many of our customers by name. People tell us they appreciate how clean, organized, and friendly our store feels—it’s not what they expect from a “discount” grocery, and we take a lot of pride in that.
At the heart of it all is our faith in Jesus Christ. That’s what guides how we treat people and how we run our business. We see this as more than just a store—it’s a way to serve our neighbors and make a positive difference in our community.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ve learned that when you’re going through a hard time—whether it’s not having enough help, struggling to get product, or dealing with an equipment breakdown—it feels big in the moment, but it always passes. Before long, it’s just a memory, sometimes even a funny campfire story.
The biggest lesson is to keep perspective and remember what really matters—your faith and your relationships. Those are the things that last long after the challenges are behind you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.discountfoodsofbronson.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bronson867
