Awards and Accolades

December 2010
Dorothy Lane Market is honored as one of the Top 50 Retailers. Read the article here.

November 2009
Dorothy Lane Market Wins Readers' Choice Award for Best Gourmet Grocer. Read more here.

October 2008
Chain Store Age publishes an article entitled "It's Called Credibility". This article highlights that DLM took the initiative and phoned 10,000 customers within 72 hours to inform them of possible contamination of meat sold in the stores. Norman Mayne, CEO, even made some of the calls himself. The article goes on to explain that unlike other stores, Mayne always puts his customers first, which in turn bolsters his credibility.

February 22, 2008
The Cincinnati Enquirer features an article about why DLM is for foodies. It explains in full detail why a trip to DLM is truly different. "From the moment you walk into one of the three family-owned gourmet grocery stores, your inclination is to slow down and take it all in."

June 2007
Dorothy Lane Market was nominated and selected by NASFT as one of the six Outstanding Retailers of 2007. The article, found in Specialty Food Products, Trends & Your Business in Perpective Magazine®. describes Calvin Mayne and the staff at DLM as "investigative food travelers." It goes on to explain that the goal of DLM is to immerse ourselves in food and its culture.

December 2007
The Gourmet Retailer Magazine proudly presented an award to Dorothy Lane Market in recognition of years of service to The Gourmet Retailer, its readers, and the industry.

November 2002
Supermarket News presents an article on the Fifty Leaders who Transformed Food Retailing, among whom is our very own Norman Mayne. The article explains DLM slays the competition with Killer Brownie® instincts. Norman is quoted as saying, " I want to emphasize I'm a member of an orchestra. I'm not a trumpet player around here. It was a whole group that made our little company what we are today."

December 2001
A panel of judges from NASFT had the ardous task of choosing the Top Ten Retailers of 2001. Dorothy Lane Market recieved the honor of a spot on this list. The article, found in Specialty Food Products, Trends & Your Business in Perpective Magazine®. explains that what has made DLM a success is that employees taste, evaluate, learn and experience as much as they can about the products.

June 1999
Fast Company publishes an article entitled, "Dorothy Lane Loves its Customers". The article explains, "as members of Club DLM, Dorothy Lane's best customers get the kind of treatment that you'd expect from a sales rep who's chasing a million-dollar account: free bouquets of flowers, free turkeys at Thanksgiving, Christmas gifts, invitations to concerts."

May 1997
The Wall Street Journal publishes an article entitled, "A Bit of Gravy". The article explains that Dorothy Lane Market decided to cut back sales and ads and reward best customers. Price discounts go only to club members. Direct mail is customized, based on individual shopping habits. Customers loyalty is greatly rewarded.

March 1997
DLM is awarded a Certificate of Merit for their advertisement submitted to the 1997 FMI/Woman's Day Adveritising Merit Awards competition in the Newspaper Advertising Black & White Merchandising category. Click here to view advertisement.

December 1993
Supermarket Business presents the 1993 Annual Award of Supermarket Excellence to Dorothy Lane Market. One of the factors noted by Supermarket Business that sets DLM apart is unpretentiousness — an inclusive atmosphere that you create — an atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome. The article also referred to the graciousness of DLM associates — something that can't be bought, hired, trained, or even instilled by example.

February 1957
Progressive Grocer features an interesting article about how owners, Calvin Mayne and Frank Sakata, instituted "Price Merchandising" at Dorothy Lane Market. Due to this, they were able to operate profitably for several three-month periods on an 11% margin in an 11,000 sq. ft. space! Click here to read more about how they were able to do it. (pdf)