56 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com BY VIOLETA MONTES DE OCA B anner Wholesale Gro- cers stands as a masterclass in longevity. As the company celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, it isn’t just looking back at a century of history; it’s understanding how the business has become the backbone of Chicago’s independent retail scene. From sourcing corn on farms in 1926 to tracking viral Japanese ice cream on TikTok today, the story of Banner is one of constant evolution. Four Generations of “Changing with the Times” The Banner story began in 1926 with a simple vision of retail and dis- tribution. President Richard Saltz- man, in an exclusive interview with Abasto Media, recalls how his grand- father and great-grandfather started by buying entire corn harvests from local farms and leveraging bank no- tes to manage inventory. By 1948, Richard’s father took the helm, navigating an era where logis- tics were primitive and roads were just beginning to connect the Midwest. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the com- Banner Wholesale Grocers Defined the Hispanic Market in Chicago pany made the pivot that would define its modern era: leaning heavily into the burgeoning Hispanic market. “You have to survive, you have to change, and you have to find a diffe- rent product line that you can sell,” says Richard. “It’s a constant thing. Everybody’s got to change with the times.” Today, the fourth generation is re- presented by Vice President Ryan Saltzman, who has spent 15 years mo- dernizing the family business. While Richard built the foundation, Ryan has brought the company into the digital age, using social media to spot trends before they hit the mainstream. In 2026, the company will celebrate its 100th anniversary and is planning a celebration on June 13 More Than a Wholesaler: “Let Us Be Your Back Room” For the 2,000 active custo- mers Banner serves, the wa- rehouse is more than a supply point—it’s an extension of their own stores. This is especially true for the “mom and pop” shops, taquerias, and bodegas that lack the square footage for massive inventories. “Our motto is ‘Let us be your back room,’” explains Ri- chard. These small business owners often visit the facility multiple times a week, buying $300 to $400 worth of stock at a time to restack their shelves immediately. This frequency has fostered a level of trust that corporate competitors struggle to replicate. • Continues on page. 58 • FOOD INDUSTRY