Blog Post

World's Largest Dairy Store: world record in Danbury, Connecticut

Apr 07, 2023

Danbury, Connecticut, United States--From its humble beginnings as a small dairy store with seven employees, Stew Leonard's has grown to one of the most renowned grocery stores, with annual sales of nearly $300 million and almost 2,000 Team Members; this massive location has singing animatronics, free samples, and all of the milk, ice cream, and cheese you could ever desire, thus setting the world record for being the World's Largest Dairy Store, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photo above: "Special thanks to Martha Stewart for visiting!" / Stew Leonard's

"Stew Leonard's has been called the Disneyland of Dairy Stores and for good reason," the Only In Your State reports. This massive location has singing animatronics, free samples, and all of the milk, ice cream, and cheese you could ever desire. It's also outfitted with a petting zoo, which makes it a great destination to bring the kids."

"Founded in Norwalk in 1969, they're known for their selection of local fruits and vegetables. In fact, they take a lot of pride in their farm fresh and organic options. They also take pride in just how big their selection of literally everything is! You'll always have tons of options, and since the store is arranged around a predetermined path, you'll never miss anything.

"Say goodbye to boring old aisles and hello to the Farm Fresh Five. They're an animatronic band of milk cartons with a pretty catchy tune. There are even animals doing flips, like trapeze artists at a circus. No wonder the New York Times called it the "Disneyland of dairy stores. Sneak a peek at a milk factory right in the store! Almost everything here is transparent, so you'll also see cakes being iced and bread being baked," the Only In Your State (2) reports.

"Stew Leonard's is a regional chain of seven supermarkets in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, which Ripley's Believe It or Not! deemed "The World's Largest Dairy" and Fortune magazine listed as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For". Opened in 1969 with seven employees in Norwalk, Connecticut, the chain now includes six stores in Connecticut and New York. The newest location opened on September 18, 2019 in Paramus, NJ.

"The New York Times called Stew Leonard's the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." The stores are not set up like traditional grocery stores; the aisle configurations guide customers to walk through the entire store (although there are short cuts). As customers walk through the aisles, they are greeted by various employees dressed up in costumes and by animatronic characters, called the "Farm Fresh Five", that perform songs and dance. Stew Leonard's famous "Stew Burger", the nickname given to the store's hamburger, is displayed by the entrance of each location.[citation needed] The stores also feature petting zoos and outdoor cafes in the warmer months, and offer tasting booths and a variety of prepared meals year round.

"Anyone who comes from Connecticut or thereabouts knows this landmark chain of grocery stores where mechanized cows sing and roosters crow," according to a writer for the Sun-Sentinel of Florida." (Wikipedia)

"Stew's special entertainment is spread along the crowded grocery continuum. See milk packaged in the glass-enclosed dairy laboratory. Ahead is an animatronic band of cartoon milk cartons. Every few minutes they launch into cheery song. The "Farm Fresh Five" are strategically positioned above the refrigerated food displays. Shoppers, peeved we have stopped in the middle of the aisle to watch the show, gently nudge with their carts. We move on," the Roadside America reports.

"Like any good tourist trap, Stew's is set up so you can only move in one direction, past every item, before you reach the exit. More animatronic scenes perform above the mad fray. Stalks of broccoli and carrots sing. A cow's head pokes out of a barn near the bread section; kids know that if you pull on her bell she'll Mooo and tell a cow joke.

"That's about it. On your way out past the cash registers, there's a wall covered with snapshots of people all over the world brandishing bags from Stew Leonard's. Since there are only three stores, you have to admire the unnamed promotional genius who started this silly tradition."

"From its humble beginnings as a small dairy store founded in 1969 with seven employees, Stew Leonard's has grown to become not only the World's Largest Dairy Store, but one of the most renowned grocery stores, with annual sales of nearly $300 million and almost 2,000 Team Members. In addition to the headquarters store in Norwalk, Conn., Stew Leonard's has stores in Danbury, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y and Newington, Conn," the Road Trippers reports.

"Stew Leonard's dream was to build a retail dairy store where children could watch milk being bottled, while mothers did their shopping in a farmer's market atmosphere. In December 1969, Stew Leonard's opened its doors - a 17,000 square foot store carrying just eight items. Stew Leonard's has grown at an amazing pace - and 30 additions have since been added to the original store.

"Stew Leonard's has taken the fresh dairy concept and expanded into meats, fish, produce, bakery, cheese and wine. Unlike traditional grocery stores that sell an average 30,000 items, each Stew Leonard's store carries only 2,000 items, chosen specifically for their freshness, quality and value.Stew Leonard's has remained a family business."

"The company has received worldwide acclaim for excellence in customer service and quality and is featured in two of management expert Tom Peter's books: A Passion for Excellence and Thriving on Chaos. In 1992, Stew Leonard's earned an entry into The Guinness Book of World Records for having "the greatest sales per unit area of any single food store in the United States," the official website says.

"Stew Leonard's was dubbed the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores" by the New York Times, because of its costumed characters, scheduled entertainment, petting zoo and animatronics throughout the stores.

"The dairy store Stew Leonard founded in Norwalk, Connecticut not only became the “World’s Largest Dairy store” according to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, but also earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest dollar sales per square foot of selling space. The company has also received worldwide acclaim for excellence in customer service and quality and is featured in two of management expert Tom Peter’s books: A Passion for Excellence and Thriving on Chaos."

Testimonials from TripAdvisor

"I use to shop at Stew Leonard because I love the place (if you have kids they will have fun with the interactive puppets) and the food is good. I use to buy the red snapper (fish) and it's always fresh. The meat department is huge and I also always find very good vegetables and fruit."

"The best produce, meat & ice cream."

"Almost everything Stew's does, they do well. Food bar, seafood, produce, dairy, deli, fresh made mozzarella, bakery, meats. Always fresh. Have to find the specials - good deals on specials."

"I love the way Stews treats me, and the way they do things is my preference. The prices and portions are outstanding! Delicious and fresh. The food is outstanding here and the folks that work here are great, never had one issues here. This is a fun place, so enjoy it and have some good times."

"You can find anything you want at Stew's. Everything is fresh and kept very clean. The frozen yogurt is a nice treat on a hot day or anytime of the year."