Featured Business: Tom's Food Center, Hardware and Fuel

Tom’s Food Center is a supermarket and much more that serves Portland and other nearby communities.

The store is owned by Tom Antaya. Tom grew up in Detroit and was graduated from MSU in 1972. After managing grocery stores for other people, he opened Tom’s in 1982 and went into business for himself.

“Our company is multi-faceted,” said Tom. “We have a pharmacy, a hardware, a Little Caesar’s, a Biggby’s, and, of course, we sell groceries. We also have a fuel center nearby,” he said.

Tom has involved his family in the business. “My wife and I have three sons. I employ two of them. Dave manages the hardware and the fuel center. Steve oversees the entire operation,” explained Tom.

Over the years, the store has been a tremendous source of satisfaction for Tom, and he is most proud of his associates.

“They are the backbone of my company,” he said. “They have often worked extra hours during the past very trying year in order to keep the store going. Words cannot sufficiently express my appreciation for them.”

Tom is as proud of Portland as he is of his company.

“Portland has been a great community in which to do business,” he said. “The schools and the businesses have grown tremendously during the past three decades and city government has done everything possible to facilitate this. Portland is filled with great people and we appreciate the patronage that they have given to us. Owning and operating my store has made my life memorable and fulfilling. Being part of Portland is the best thing that I have ever done.”

This piece was originally published in the Downtown Portland Newsletter for July 2021. You can find the full newsletter HERE.