Al Minero, Store Manager

Al Minero is fairly new to Sonoma Market, having become store manager in June 2008, but not to the grocery business. He started in 1974 as a bagger at a San Francisco Safeway and worked up to checker and then head clerk.

His grocery business career has included Andronico's, Alpha Beta, Cala Foods, Bell Markets and Petaluma Market. For Al, the grocery business is "people business." Al prides himself on knowing customers' names. His philosophy - "You can never give a smile away. You'll always get it back" - is a perfect fit for this hometown grocery.

Al is also thrilled to be representing a store that is committed to quality, organics and local products carrying such well-known names as Rocky and Rosie poultry, Painted Hills and Niman Ranch beef, Clover dairy, Oak Hill Farms and the Patch.

And Al has been known to go home to his wife of 32 years with some of Sonoma Market's wonderful food to-go, whether for an easy family dinner or some gourmet entertaining.