Micro Markets

NAMA names Craig Kushner Operator of the Year for second time

Logo provided.

July 2, 2020

Craig Kushner

The National Automatic Merchandising Association has named Craig Kushner, owner of Monumental Markets in Beltsville, Maryland, as its 2020 Operator of the Year, marking the second time he has won this award. The first time was in 2011.

"Craig and the team at Monumental have made innovation a priority, being pioneers in pre-kitting, VMS and markets," according to the award nomination. "Monumental recognized these advantages early to become one of the largest markets company in the USA. Craig has a vast network within the convenience services industry from his many years of involvement and is known for helping others become better operators."

With operations in Maryland, DC and Virginia, Kushner and partner David Gordon founded the company in 1991 as Monumental Vending. They opened their first micro market in 2011, and in 2016, the company became the industry's first market-only business and was renamed Monumental Markets.

Photo courtesy of NAMA.