Last night I had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of a new kids' swim school built and operated by the iconic food retailer Stew Leonard's. Born out of tragedy - their son, Stew Leonard III drowned at age two - the school is a passion project developed by Stew Leonard Jr. and his wife, Kim, in the hope that other parents can be spared their pain. It also, I think, illustrates the unique role a retailer can play in its community.
