Rob Bartles, Jr, CEO of Martin's Supermarkets,
Spoke to the Club
President Ann McCuistion opened the meeting.
Guest Sergeant Mel Jacobson did his duty to extract fines from unsuspecting Rotarians, all for a good cause, supporting other local not for profits in advancement of their missions. So pay up!!
Bill Burton introduced today’s speaker - - Rob Bartels, CEO of Martin’s Supermarkets. In the fall of 1947, Jane and Martin Tarnow opened the first Martin’s Super Market as an 800-square-foot store in the 1500 block of Portage Avenue in South Bend, Indiana. From that small beginning, Martin’s Super Markets has grown to 21 stores located in South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Granger, Nappanee, Plymouth, Logansport, Goshen and Warsaw Indiana, as well as stores in Niles, St. Joseph and Stevensville, Michigan.
The Tarnows made their small store a success through hard work, determination and innovative ideas. Although these qualities are always important, it’s customer service that is the top priority at every Martin’s Super Markets. Each Martin’s employee is trained to meet customers’ needs, while providing the best quality products and greatest value for the dollar.
Martin’s has continued to offer its customers added conveniences such as full-service Pharmacies and specialty departments, including Side Door Deli Cafés, which offer a full variety of hot and cold ready-to-eat menu items. Customers can even pick up their favorite Starbucks® beverage at over half of Martin’s stores.
Paw Mart pet supply stores are located in Elkhart’s Jackson Boulevard, Cobblestone Crossing, Mishawaka's Bittersweet Road, Granger North and St. Joseph’s Cleveland Avenue locations. Martin’s Advantage Card holders enjoy exclusive discounts at any one of eight Martin’s Fuel Centers. Customers can also get their prescriptions filled while they shop at any one of 18 convenient, in-store pharmacies.
Community service and involvement are also high on the list of priorities at Martin’s Super Markets. In November 1989, Martin’s initiated the Heat for Homes program, an annual campaign to raise funds to keep the heat turned on for families in need during the winter months. Heat for Homes has resulted in more than $1.7 million in heating assistance for families in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and Cass counties in Indiana.
Martin’s also sponsors several other programs that give back to the community, including Stuff a Bus (food drive), Roofsit (prevent child abuse) and Secret Santa for Seniors (holiday gifts for senior citizens). Visit our community page to find out more about our community efforts.
Still a family-owned and operated business, Rob Bartels, the grandson of founder Martin Tarnow, is currently the president and CEO of Martin’s Super Markets.
Save the Date: The Taste of the Garden’s is moving to Sunday! This year’s event will be on Sunday August 26th.