
- Top Workplaces
- Stewart's Shops Corp
Stewart's Shops Corp
Stewart's Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain with 400+ shops located across upstate New York, Vermont and western New Hampshire.
While known for fresh and local ice cream, milk, coffee, gas and other services, Stewart's Shops has many food-to-go offerings. Many shops offer pizza and the Stewart's kitchen freshly prepares new items including a variety of Now and Then entrees as well as soups, chili, parfaits and more.
While known for fresh and local ice cream, milk, coffee, gas and other services, Stewart's Shops has many food-to-go offerings. Many shops offer pizza and the Stewart's kitchen freshly prepares new items including a variety of Now and Then entrees as well as soups, chili, parfaits and more.
Purpose
Stewart’s Shops began as a family business and the second and third generations of the Dake family remain heavily involved with the company. Stewart's Shops is an essential part of each community they serve offering both strong community ties and company support. Stewart’s Shops owns and operates 400-plus convenience stores across upstate New York, Vermont and western New Hampshire. They are known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, easy food, gasoline, and other convenience items. Stewart's Shops produces award-winning milk and ice-cream in their dairy in Greenfield Center. Their manufacturing and distribution plant is located on 65 acres in Greenfield, just outside of Saratoga Springs.
Vision
Stewart's Shops is a convenience store very much tied to communities it serves with an extensive charitable contributions program, together with the Dake Family, they donate $12 million annually to nonprofits. Stewart's Shops is one of the largest employers in New York state and is an employee- and family-owned business with employees owning more than 40% of the company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan or ESOP. Stewart’s ESOP serves as a retirement plan and is 100% company funded. In 2024, the Dake family made the decision to continue selling portions of the business to partners, which means the company will become majority-owned by partners over the next 10 to 20 years. Along with health insurance and paid vacation, ESOP participants are offered paid maternity leave, discounted YMCA gym memberships and daycare, as well as a Make Your Own Scholarship program which provides college scholarships to partners’ dependents.
Mission
To provide essential goods and services including gasoline, groceries, prepared food, beverages and more in the communities where we do business. We are very much a people-focused organization and strive to always support and serve our communities with a smile.
Additional Culture Details
Stewart’s may appear to be a large company but we are really 400-plus small shops and departments with that small business feel. The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly for everyone, which allows our partners to get to know their customers. In our fast-paced business we encourage our partners to interact openly and efficiently, and to Share. We work in a culture where “everybody knows” and this openness gives our partners the control to grow their careers for personal satisfaction as well as corporate success. We provide them with the support they need to serve customers and to build a business.
Values
- Investing in Our Employees
- Stewart’s is a privately held company; over 40 percent is owned by our employees which is crucial to our growth and profitability. The Dake family believes in sharing ownership with the people who have helped build our business and feel that their ownership is worth more today because of it. Being privately held allows us to make rational, long-term decisions.




