When you walk into a Brown’s ShopRite or Fresh Grocer in Philadelphia, you are stepping into a hub of opportunity and community. At the center of this work is Stacey Dowling, the Community Engagement Director at Brown’s Superstores.
Dowling’s career with ShopRite began in 2017 as a beer manager. From there, his path took him through human resources, where his two decades of running a Philadelphia-based business became an invaluable asset. By 2022, his leadership naturally aligned with Brown’s Small Business Incubator Program, a platform designed to nurture entrepreneurs, provide resources, and create pathways for local products to thrive on store shelves. In 2024, Dowling officially stepped into his current role as Community Engagement Director, a position that has allowed him to combine business acumen with community passion.
The Small Business Incubator: A Free Consultant for Entrepreneurs
At its core, the Small Business Incubator functions as “your free business consultant,” Dowling explains. Held every second Tuesday at the ShopRite of Island Avenue, the program brings together a powerful panel, ranging from the company president and Philadelphia Commerce Department representatives to small business professionals like packaging experts.
Participants, whether aspiring entrepreneurs or established business owners, receive 20-minute in-person sessions tailored to their stage of business. From helping with startup questions to providing legal and regulatory guidance, the incubator ensures that community members are equipped with the right tools.
But the support does not stop at advice. Graduates of the program can host pop-ups in stores, testing their products directly with customers. A few, like Aruba Halal’s Kitchen, have made the leap from idea to shelf-ready product, now stocked across all store locations in the frozen food aisle. Others, like Loyal Scent Candles by Tasha, used the platform to expand from pop-ups to running a brick-and-mortar store complete with candle-making workshops.
“We do not just advise and disappear,” Dowling emphasizes. “We remain available for follow-up, ensuring our participants know they are not alone in their business journey.”
Employment and Workforce Development
Community connection goes beyond products; it is also about people. Brown’s is a union shop that prioritizes inclusive hiring, even opening doors for returning citizens. Dowling, with his background in HR, often helps job seekers navigate applications, pre-screens, and requirements like IDs and certificates.
Through a program known as “the bench,” employees who show interest in growth are trained and prepared for advancement. With solid performance and attendance, they are given first priority when new positions open up. “It ensures that local residents have access to meaningful employment and career growth,” Dowling explains, reinforcing the idea that opportunity should never stop at entry-level.
Tackling Food Access and Affordability
Food deserts remain a pressing issue in Philadelphia, but Brown’s is committed to filling those gaps. Through food reclamation programs with partners like Philabundance and Share, surplus or slightly damaged products are redirected to nonprofit organizations, ensuring communities in need have access to healthy food.
On affordability, Brown’s carries accessible product lines such as Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird, offering healthier options at lower costs than national brands. Additionally, in-kind donations often support community events, including block parties and award banquets, helping local nonprofits stretch their budgets further.
Partnerships: Multiplying Impact
Dowling describes community partnerships as “force multipliers.” Brown’s collaborates with groups such as FunTimes Magazine, One Day at a Time (ODAAT), Philadelphia Masjid, and OIC. Through these ties, they extend their impact, supporting everything from immunization drives to job training programs.
“FunTimes is a good example,” Dowling notes. “When we partner with trusted grassroots organizations, people listen. It allows us to reach the community in authentic ways.”
A Community Anchor and Legacy
From incubating small businesses to reclaiming food for underserved families, from opening hiring pipelines to hosting cultural partnerships, Brown’s ShopRite continues to show that grocery stores can be more than places to shop. They can be engines of community growth.
As Dowling puts it: “The more we can do, the more people we can help. And the more we help, the stronger our community becomes.”
Looking ahead, Dowling envisions the legacy of Brown’s ShopRite as one rooted in deepened community ties. “If we can continue to improve, expand our incubator program, and increase awareness of what we offer, then we are doing more than business; we are strengthening neighborhoods,” he reflects.
This legacy is also shaped by creative initiatives like the annual golf outing, which brings together national vendors. Beyond networking, the event showcases the impact of vendor contributions through photo collages and stories of community-driven projects. By bridging large corporations with grassroots needs, Dowling ensures that resources flow where they are needed most.
This article is made possible with the support from the following organizations:
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
