The Alex Lee family of companies includes Lowes Foods and Merchants Distributors (MDI). Alex Lee grew out of Merchants Produce Company which was founded in 1931 by Alex and Lee George. Alex and Lee were generous people who cared about both friends and strangers. Alex George, the entrepreneur, knew everyone's name and directed the warehouse operations. Lee George, the negotiator, was adept at procurement and sales, but was best known for his kindness. Their integrity, honesty, fairness and loyalty earned them wide trust and great respect among both customers and employees. Alex and Lee believed in customer service and guided the company through good and bad times by focusing on how they could best serve the customer.
The tradition begun by Alex and Lee George continues today at the Alex Lee family of companies. Each of the Alex Lee companies has grown tremendously over the years by remaining committed to doing what's right for the customer.
Lowes Foods is a grocery retailer with stores located throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. Founded as a single store in 1954 in North Wilkesboro, N.C., Lowes Foods now has over 80 locations. Despite our growth, we weave “local” into everything we do. We work with area farmers and manufacturers because we want our communities to flourish. We care about local because we are local.
As with all Alex Lee companies, the focus of Lowes Foods is always our customers, or as we call them, our “guests.” Our vision is to bring community back to the table, which we do by creating genuine connections with everyone who we host in our stores.
Embracing Alex Lee’s tradition of innovation, Lowes Foods sets out to break the mold of standard grocery stores and create a distinctive and memorable shopping experience for our guests. Today, we continue to drive retail innovation while still upholding our commitment to quality, value, and service.
Learn more about Lowes Foods at LOWESFOODS.COM.
Kj’s Market is a grocery retailer with stores across South Carolina and Georgia. The business began in 2006 after opening its first store in Florence, S.C. In the years following, it gained a greater footprint in the Southeastern region. The company’s growth can be credited to its passion about the food it offers and the way in which it serves its guests.
Kj’s Market stores are known for passionately serving hometowns with a smile. Each local store plays a unique and integral role in the community it serves through various charitable organizations, donations, and fundraisers.
We value doing good for our neighbors, inside and outside our stores.
Learn more at KJSMARKET.COM.
Merchants Distributors (MDI) is a wholesale grocery distributor located in Hickory, N.C. It serves over 600 independent retailers across 12 states along the East Coast, as well as exports to over 20 countries. MDI supplies over 40,000 food and non-food products, along with providing comprehensive grocery retail services.
Founded in 1931 as a small family business by brothers Alex and Lee George, MDI’s success and sustained growth stems from the long-held belief that for the company to be successful, its customers and suppliers must also be successful. Our purpose is to serve our independent retailers by equipping them with all the tools, expertise, and network they need to thrive and grow.
While we grow and innovate for the future, including the introduction of cutting-edge automation technology, we haven’t lost sight of what has brought us this far. MDI differentiates itself on how we serve our customers: by keeping them the focus of everything we do.
Learn more about MDI at MDI.COM.
W. Lee Flowers was founded in 1922 in Lake City, S.C., as a grocery wholesale distributor. The company’s beginning is similar to Alex Lee’s, starting as a small, family-owned company dedicated to forming lasting relationships with its customers and providing them with excellent service and products.
Alex Lee acquired W. Lee Flowers in 2019, which expanded geographic footprint, enhanced operations, and grew capabilities.
Today, W. Lee Flowers is still known for its dedication to its customers. We operate both wholesale and retail across North and South Carolina and Georgia, distributing to over 80 independent stores and over 60 owned stores. We are also an Independent Grocer’s Alliance (IGA) food stores wholesaler.
Souto Foods, headquartered in Norcross, Ga., is a grocery wholesaler specializing in Latin American and Caribbean products.
The company was founded in 2010 by Sebastian Souto, whose mission was to provide customers with the highest-quality product along with the best service in the industry.
In 2017, Alex Lee acquired Souto Foods, allowing both companies to expand their product offerings, capabilities, and footprint. In July 2024, the company announced that it will relocate to a new, larger facility outside Atlanta. The move, scheduled for late 2025, will provide the space required for ongoing growth.
As we grow, Souto Foods continues to maintain the same passion for upholding Latin traditions, enriching communities, and serving customers with excellence.
Learn more about Souto Foods at SOUTOFOODS.COM.
Established in 1996 in Riviera Beach, Fla., by the Aedo-Solorzano family, Import Mex, is a grocery wholesaler that distributes across Florida to its Latino customers.
The company offers an extensive, high-quality selection of Mexican and Central American products. Import Mex is dedicated to forming genuine relationships with its customers and business partners; enriching the communities in which they serve; and providing exceptional service.
Import Mex is the newest company to join the Alex Lee family of companies, having been acquired in July 2023. With support from Alex Lee sister companies MDI, Lowes Foods, Souto Foods, and W. Lee Flowers, Import Mex is positioned for competitive growth by expanding our offerings, customer base and operating footprint.
Learn more about Import Mex at IMPORTMEX.COM.