Jeff Brown, founder of Brown’s Super Stores, Inc., is seeking to become the next mayor of Philadelphia in 2023. The 58 year-old owner of 10 ShopRites and two Fresh Grocer stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, revealed his candidacy with an announcement and press conference in Philadelphia on November 16. He is the first non-politician and fifth Democrat to enter the mayoral race. Current Mayor Jim Kenney is term-limited.
Brown, a fourth generation grocer, followed in the footsteps of his father, Lenny, when he formed his own retail organization in 1988. Many of Brown’s stores are located in underserved and economically challenged areas and the veteran retailer co-founded (along with his wife, Sandy) Uplift Solutions, a national non-profit group that develops entrepreneurial solutions to support underserved communities for the joy of a healthy life. Uplift Solutions focuses on workforce development and advocacy for justice-involved individuals.
Prior to making his mayoral candidacy announcement, Brown said that he was taking a leave of absence from his organization. Veteran company executive Paul Brauer serves as the retailer’s president and COO; Sandy Brown is executive VP; and Josh Brown, one of Sandy and Jeff’s four children, is the CFO of Browns Super Stores.
Brown announced three main goals should he be elected Mayor of Philadelphia: to dismantle structural poverty; rebuild the police so citizens feel safe; and increase the quality of life for the citizens and that begins with respect.
