Dory grew up in the grocery business starting out as a bottle boy in his parents’ small grocery store in California. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy for three years. When he completed his service, Dory returned to the supermarket industry working for Albertsons in Eugene and Salem, Oregon before moving to Nameless Market in Salem where he worked as the store manager.
In 1976, Dory and a business partner opened their first store together, Alpine Foods. The company eventually grew to nine stores. In 1991, after the partnership ended, Dory purchased a supermarket in Bend, Oregon that is known today as the Newport Avenue Market, a store that offers specialty and organic foods.
Newport Avenue Market has received many honors, including being named the Small Business of the Year in 1999 by the Bend Chamber of Commerce. The store was also named the 1996 IGA Deli Merchandiser of the Year and was named to the 1995 Progressive Grocer Honor Roll of Outstanding Independent Operators. In 1994, it was recognized as the IGA International Retailer of the Year.