BROOKLYN, NY, February 06, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Shady M. Widdi, owner of Foodtown Supermarkets, was selected by Marquis Who's Who for a prominent feature in the December 2025/January 2026 New York City regional issue of Forbes magazine.

For Mr. Widdi, the grocery industry was always a family business. His grandfather opened a supermarket in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, in 1967 under the Metfood brand, and his father expanded to a second location in 1983. That second store is where Mr. Widdi would establish his own business acumen when he took charge of operations in the early 2000s. Demonstrating his leadership skills, he oversaw a steady increase in business.

Looking to prove himself further in 2015, Mr. Widdi took on the responsibility of remodeling the store. By this point, he had earned enough trust from his father to have free rein to change or modify the location as he saw fit. That faith in Mr. Widdi paid off; after completing renovations, the grocery store's performance doubled.

In 2020, Mr. Widdi launched a third Foodtown location for his family, this one in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood. Though he faced challenges due to opening in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was resilient and thoughtful with his strategy, leading to long-term success even as other businesses were closing down. As the first store that Mr. Widdi opened on his own, he has implemented many lessons that he learned working at his family's two other locations. He emphasizes excellent customer service, competitive prices, quality and a high standard of cleanliness.

Furthermore, in 2024, Mr. Widdi expanded his family's business by opening a fourth location in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood. This state-of-the-art supermarket has garnered significant attention and positive press, further solidifying Mr. Widdi's reputation for excellence in the industry.

Mr. Widdi has also built his reputation by prioritizing community engagement. While he is the owner, he makes a point to visit all the family's Foodtown locations every day, staying closely involved in daily operations. Mr. Widdi takes great pride in interacting with his customers and estimates that on any given day, he knows 80% of those customers by name. This down-to-earth, hands-on approach sets him apart from other managers and executives.

IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS
When considering his mentors, no one has had a bigger impact on Mr. Widdi than his own father. Mohmoud Widdi is renowned in his community both for his business leadership and his contributions to others. He has taught Mr. Widdi not just how to run a business but how to take on unexpected challenges and difficulties with grace and kindness. He has inspired as a father and as a fellow Palestinian American. Now a father himself to four daughters, Mr. Widdi continues to live grateful for the strong example his father has set.

WHAT'S NEXT
As he looks to the future, Mr. Widdi has initiated plans for expanding Foodtown further. He is currently in the process of searching for new locations to establish more stores, and envisions operating up to 10 locations in the near future. However, Mr. Widdi is cautious to avoid growing so much that he loses touch, which would mean an inability to be a presence in each store.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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