Sprankle’s named to top 25 list
SAXONBURG — As customers walked into Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market on Thursday, it was not the food that first caught their attention. It was the vibrant wall of Legos.
The experience is so unique — from the dry-aged steak vault to its burrito shop — that the business was named recently to Progressive Grocer’s list of 25 Outstanding Independents.
The market, which opened in July 2021, was praised for its reputation for quality food and being a cultural hub of the community. Sprankle’s has locations in Saxonburg, Kittanning and Leechburg.
“It’s really humbling and an honor to represent the community. Without our crew, customers and overall support, it’s not possible to get that kind of national recognition,” said Doug Sprankle, owner of the Saxonburg store.
They were notified by their wholesaler that Sprankle’s won the award.
Sprankle attributes their positive culture to the community and other independents in the area. The establishment works with around 20 local brands to bring customers a distinctive experience, including a bakery, a burrito shop and sushi. Sprankle actively promotes the local suppliers as part of his marketing strategy.
“It just shows you’re on the right path, I think,” he added.
He said while he would welcome any new customers drawn to his store by the award, he hopes it attracts new employees who would be proud to be a part of his team.
“We also like to give back to our crew,” Sprankle said. “One example is we’re adding a coffee bar here in a couple weeks, so they’ll get free items from there.”
Joe Lazeration, who works at Sprankle’s, said he has experience working in larger chains, and it’s different from working for a small, independent grocer.
“It’s nice working somewhere that’s more in touch with the community,” Lazeration said, “The owners are very involved, and the community sees that and appreciates it.”
Sprankle’s Octoberfest in Saxonburg is its biggest outreach project. The family pays homage to its German heritage while giving back to the community. Last year, 20 nonprofits participated in its Octoberfest, according to Sprankle.
“You’re only as healthy as your community,” Lazeration said.
Bob Makowski, who co-owns Makowski’s Martial Arts and Fitness in Clinton Township with his son, has been shopping at Sprankle’s since it opened.
“It caters to people,” Makowski said, “if I need something and tell Doug, he’ll get it.
“It’s much more than a grocery store. It’s what the community needed, because, before, we were without.”
According to a 2018 Butler Eagle article, when Friedman's Freshmarkets closed its last three stores in January of that year, Saxonburg was one of two places that became classified as a “food desert,” which is an area where residents are more than 10 miles from a full-service grocery store in rural areas and one mile in large cities.
Sprankle’s filled that void.
Nancy Turrano and her son, Tyler, drive from Butler for the experience of shopping at Sprankle’s, and says that even the drive to the store is enjoyable.
“Everything here is worth the trip,” Turrano said.
Customers on Thursday said that atmosphere the Sprankle family creates at their locations keeps them coming back. Doug Sprankle’s father, Randy, owns the Leechburg location and his brother, Ryan, owns the store in Kittanning.
“We truly can’t do this without you,” Sprankle said with regards to the community, which he said is also their personal mantra.
