The Leadership on Main Award is an award that recognizes an individual (or individuals) who has shown extraordinary dedication to their local Main Street over a significant period of time. Andra and John Mobley have been named the 2025 Leadership on Main Award recipients for their contributions as community leaders, business owners, and Main Street supporters.

Andra and John Mobley have called Stevenson home for decades, raising their family there and embedding their love for the place into A&J Market, an independent grocery store where Andra manages financials and HR and John leads operations and logistics. A&J Market is a vital employer in Stevenson, often the first job for high school students. Twelve staff have served 10+ years, eight have for more than 20 years, and two staff members have been with the store since it opened in 1995. This loyalty is sustained by a staff retirement plan, a 20% employee family discount, and team celebrations. The Mobleys’ personal commitment goes even further—they’ve driven through snowstorms to ensure staff could arrive safely and the community never lost grocery access.

A&J Market is more than a grocery store—it’s a symbol of generosity, longevity, and community identity. Andra and John have cultivated a business rooted in personal relationships and local investment. Since 2014, A&J’s Coupon Donation Program has raised more than $350,000 for local youth, education, and nonprofit causes. Today, the store sponsors virtually every event in town, from sports teams to local fundraisers, and is known for its quiet but consistent giving. In 2021, A&J became the third retailer in Washington certified for online EBT—after Amazon and Walmart—providing rural families with dignified, safe grocery access. And during the pandemic, A&J shared inventory with neighboring stores to prevent shortages, setting aside competition for the greater good.

In addition to the significant role they play as business owners, John and Andra are also involved in community groups including the Stevenson Downtown Association, chamber of commerce, county fair board, and local education foundation. Their volunteerism runs the gamut, from chairing boards to stringing lights and leading student kayaking expeditions.

“Through three decades of growth, change, and service, the Mobleys have kept A&J Market rooted in local values while adapting to meet new community needs,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “As Stevenson Downtown Association executive director Kelly O’Malley McKee puts it, ‘Their story is one of service without fanfare, sustained generosity, and quiet leadership—and Stevenson would not be the same without them.’” Durham personally presented the Leadership on Main Award to John and Andra Mobley, who were in attendance at the awards ceremony.