Wray Brown opened the first Wray's Thriftway in 1955 at the corner of Tieton Drive and 48th Avenue. The company now has 3 supermarkets in Yakima, WA and employs about 150 people. "Our family is part of Yakima and we think Yakima is part of our family," says Bob Brown current owner along with son Chris Brown.
Changing with the times is how Wray's Food & Drug (they changed their name in 2005) has stayed in business over half a century. Bob and Chris feel that knowing their customer's wants and needs and providing top-notch service is the answer to their longevity. They work diligently to know what their customers want and adapt product lines and services to meet their wishes.
Unlike the days of old when grocers just sold groceries and not much else, Wray's provides everything from baked goods and deli items to prescription drugs and auto licenses. To keep up the grocers of old kept adding customer conveniences and more product lines that necessitated bigger stores. Wray's has done an excellent job of doing just that: growing to provide more services and products for their customers.
Chris Brown, president and CEO, runs the business with his dad, Bob, who is chairman of the board. Chris never considered doing anything other than following in his father's footsteps in the grocery business and likewise, his father did the same following, in his father's footsteps. For over 50 years, this family has truly been a part of Yakima and plans to be for years to come.