Our Story
…60 Years & 3 Generations…a Family Tradition

January 1946, marked the beginning of the Clements family venture as Central Coast Grocer, with Grandpa Lester Clements opened his first grocery store in Freedom, California, an area rich in agricultural diversity and natural beauty, but best known for being a premier produce growing region.

The Fairway Market in Freedom was small, and by 1955, Grandpa Lester was looking for a bigger and better location. Not too far away in Salinas, Ca., Grandpa Clements found the new market, calling it Ron's Market where he, his son Ron, and the entire family worked for the next 25 years. The Clements men worked and stocked the grocery shelves, while their wives, Edith and Marlo, ran the check stands, and also managed to run a smooth home front. As for Ron and Marlo's two children-Ronnie and Christy-well, they practically grew up in the back room of the store, sorting soda bottles and soon advancing to other duties as they were able.

Christy remembers, "We'd skateboard to the store after school, and Grandpa would make us grilled cheese sandwiches. After a snack, we'd stand on milk crates to bag groceries!" The young Clements also carried groceries for customers, not just to their cars, but ALL the way home! Both Ronnie and Christy did this in between school activities and sports.

Despite its loved place in the community, the family began to realize that another move was necessary, and the elder, Grandpa Clements, came to realize it was time to enjoy life and slow down a bit. Ron Clements Sr. discovered the new store in the heart of the San Lorenzo Valley, and purchased it in December of 1978. "Ben Lomond Super" as it was named back then, could trace its earlier history as Dickenson's Market to April 17, 1906, the day before the Big San Francisco Earthquake!

Carrying the values of friendliness and service with them from Salinas, Ben Lomond Super became a significant part of the local community. The "Super", as it was known, a success story as the relationship between the business and its loyal customer base began to grow.

Right up until his passing, the patriarch, Grandpa Lester Clements, who was 87 years old, delivered produce to the Market a few days a week. His wife, Edith, sat on the seat right beside him "just going along for the ride." Afterwards, they took the time to have lunch and visit with various employees while offering advice, and sharing ideas at the table.

Ron Jr. and his sister, Christy, have moved into positions of greater responsibility in the new century, enabling the ranking members of the family, Ron Sr. and Marlo, to have a little more time for leisure. Not to worry though, they still pop in to oversee day-to-day operations, now and again, making sure that "service is carried out" the Grandpa Lester way!

While family members still work closely in the business today, the growth of the market has meant an increased reliance on the staff. "It takes more than family" said Ron Clements Jr., "The staff is equally important. I don't think we'd be here without them. It's the people we work with that are the reason we are successful."

But that doesn't mean family won't continue to be an important part of the business. In a few years, customers may very well see a fourth generation of the Clements legacy bagging groceries. While there was, and has been, a staunch work ethic handed down from Grandpa Lester to Ron Sr., then to Ronnie and Christy, there has always been room for outside family endeavors, and their many civic commitments. The list of community involvement is long! Here are just a few of the Clements family's many achievements to date:

Grandpa Lester was deeply involved in the Lions Club of Salinas and a past president. Ron Sr. has been active for many years with the Salinas Rodeo, and has also been a past president. Marlo Clements was honored as Woman-of-the-Year in the '80's for her contribution to the Ben Lomond Centennial Celebration, and Safe & Sober Grad Nite, not to mention proud grandmother and Campfire Girls leader. Last but certainly not least, Ron Jr. is past president of the Ben Lomond Business Association, and has many civic projects that he is involved with on behalf of the San Lorenzo Valley. Ben Lomond Market is one of the largest contributors in the Valley to various charities and local projects.

In a recent acquisition, the family purchased a second market in Scotts Valley, and renamed it Scotts Valley Market. Ron Clements Jr. is the general manager, his sister Christy is the store director.

Scotts Valley Market underwent a transformation to recreate the format of the successful Ben Lomond Market store. Several new departments, including a florist, bakery, Chinese food takeout service, full-service deli, a natural body care and nutrition department, and organic foods, were added.

As Ben Lomond Market and the San Lorenzo Valley continue to grow, we promise to offer you the same hometown customer service, local products and freshest quality that our family owned business was founded on. Thank you for making our business a success story!

Warmest regards to all of our customers, friends and colleagues,

The Clements Family

Our Market

We are a family run business that is committed to providing a superior shopping experience for our customers, a high-quality work environment for employees, and ongoing support for the community.