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Sharing their rewards of success is
something the Olsruds enjoy, especially
to help their local communities. They’ve
contributed to everything from youth and
high school sports to college scholarships.
And they give continuously through a trust
fund disbursed by the Oregon Community
Foundation. Every year, Sherm’s Markets
also donates semi truckloads of food to
each of the area’s food banks.

The Olsruds enthusiastically support
regional 4-H and FFA programs in Douglas,
Price check on energy savings. Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties.
Through a generous gift to Friends of the
Fair, the Olsrud family helped build the
12,000-sq-ft pavilion that bears their name
in Jackson County.
In addition to being a generous corporate
When people save energy at home, it helps Bazaar department store in Medford. His citizen, Sherm’s Markets is committed
keep their energy costs low. Companies newest store, however, carried a wide to being a good environmental steward
can help, too, by becoming more energy selection of non-food items in addition and strives for sustainability. The stores
effi cient. One Avista customer that’s to groceries. Sherm operated it as a one- recycle all their cardboard. The company
making a difference is Sherm’s Markets—a stop shopping center until 1985, when he also recently worked with Energy Trust
true community gem. obtained a Food 4 Less franchise.
of Oregon, which partners with Avista,
Sherm’s has been a locally recognized Sherm didn’t add his fourth location to complete energy-effi ciency upgrades
name since 1967, when Sherm and Wanda until 2000, when he purchased the at their Food 4 Less store in Medford.
Olsrud purchased the Thunderbird Market struggling Food World in Roseburg, Upgrades included installing energy-
in Medford, Oregon. Sherm admits he kept Oregon. He quickly turned things around effi cient LED lighting and adding doors
the Thunderbird name because he couldn’t and success followed. to open freezer cases.
afford a new sign at the time.
Always concerned with keeping prices low, Keeping freezer air from escaping did
In Eugene, Sherm and a partner co-owned Sherm’s Markets also built a warehouse more than improve customer comfort. It
a small meat shop and grocery store. in Medford. The added storage lets them also decreased their store’s annual natural
Sherm was the butcher. But he wanted purchase large quantities of a product gas usage for heating by a projected
to get out on his own and do one better. when distributors offer a lower price. $15,633 a year. And Sherm’s is passing
His goal was to create a store known for They also can buy more items directly these savings onto customers.
its friendliness, one that would offer the from wholesalers. By reducing their energy use, not only is
largest selection of quality products at the Sherm’s keeping prices low on groceries,
lowest prices possible. As it turned out, he The company’s commitment to the grocery they’re helping the communities they
did just that. And customers loved it. industry has not gone unnoticed. Sherm’s
Thunderbird Markets received the Unifi ed serve. Avista salutes them!
In fact, the Olsruds ended up expanding Grocers’ 2017 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery
the business in 1974 by purchasing the Visionary Award, a prestigious national The Benefi ts
Mayfair Market in Klamath Falls. Their honor within their industry.
customer count kept growing until that of Natural Gas
building started feeling a little cramped. Receiving such a high honor proves Sherm Clean and effi cient natural gas
So, they built what is now their current made a smart decision when he put his provides warm, even heat, consistent
Thunderbird Market just across the parking son Steve in charge when he retired. Like hot water, precise temperature
lot from the original location. Avista was his dad, Steve loves the grocery business control for cooking, and the cozy
there to assist with an incentive for heat and it shows. Today, Sherm’s Markets ambiance of a natural gas furnace. To
recovery that helped reduce natural gas employs about 638 people at its stores learn all the benefi ts of natural gas,
costs by an estimated $7,597 a year. and warehouse with over 65 being with
the company for 20 years or more. That’s call 877 GAS TEAM.
Three years later, in 1976, Sherm expanded because they treat their employees as
again. This time he bought the former well as they do their customers.

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summer 2018 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 7