In 1923, my parents, Sidney and Mollie Ball started a small neighborhood grocery store on the corner of 16th and Stewart streets in Kansas City, Kansas.

There was no money to hire help, so the two of them ran the store from early in the morning to late evening. My mother ran the cash register and kept the books; my father stocked the shelves, went to the market, and unloaded the truck.

As their business grew, they were able to hire a couple of employees to help out. Today that humble beginning has evolved into a multimillion-dollar corporation called Balls Food Stores.

There are currently 29 stores that spread throughout the metropolitan area under the names of Hen House Market and Balls Price Chopper. Nearly 4,000 people, we like to refer to them as teammates, work at those stores. Our grocery store, as my father said decades ago, is only as good as the people who work there. We are very fortunate to have dedicated people who create great stores for our customers.

Balls Food Stores has come a long way since my parents opened their first store in 1923. I take great pride in being a part of the best grocery operation in the area, and even greater pride that my son, David Ball, will be following the family footsteps as the third generation to lead this company.

Hen House #24