Stop and Compare, an independent supermarket with locations in Lynn and Chelsea, Massachusetts, is a family-owned and operated neighborhood supermarket formed in 1996 by Cuban immigrants Al and Betty Calvo with the goal of “connecting culture and community through authentic offerings and fresh quality products.” The network of 3 grocery stores serves the Hispanic and ethnic population of the Boston Metropolitan areas and other New England communities.
For the last 2 years, a former Shaw’s Supermarket has been vacant on State St. in Lynn, which has left the downtown neighborhood without a full service grocery store, making it more difficult for many of Lynn’s low-income residents to access healthy food. The median family income in this neighborhood is 35% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and surrounded by multiple food deserts.
The new store has created at least 70 jobs, and 90% of the firm’s workforce live within the community. The supermarket’s workforce is also over 50% women, and on a day-to-day basis, they contract with more than 50 vendors, many of whom are minority-owned and operated.