Nugget Markets Rises On Forbes List Of Best Companies To Work For

By Kelly Ryan

WOODLAND (CBS13) — A family-run grocery company has once again made Fortune's list of the 100 best companies to work for in the nation.

Nugget Markets, based in Woodland, jumped to No. 13 on the list, up from No. 26 last year.

Some people work to live. But employees at Nugget Markets say they actually have fun on the job and their CEO says he wants to keep it that way.

CEO Eric Stille who says the ranking is good feedback for him when it comes to his company that employs 1,600 employees at 15 stores. The company is in the process of acquiring two more.

What's the secret to the success? Employees say it's a sense of family.

Sarah Bielski means says it's the kind of family you actually like. She also cites the company's commitment to work and life balance.

"I have a family two little boys and they work with your schedule," she said.

Stille, whose grandfather opened the first nugget in Woodland in 1926, confirms that.

"No. 1 is the family environment, and it's something we work hard with," he said.

You want to cut back on hours while in school or take a sabbatical? No problem.

"We will work with each and every associate because it's family," he said.

And this family has some nice perks—part time workers who put in at least 22 hours a week here are entitled to get full benefits.

"Our healthcare is zero premium to the associate," he said.

Stille believes in empowering employees to make decisions on their own. Like when the clerk gave a bouquet of flowers to this new grandmother.