BELLVILLE, Ohio — For the first time in more than a quarter century, Stoodt’s Market is under new ownership.
On Jan. 4, the local operation transferred from Bernie and Sharron Hollar to new owner Jason Potes.
“We’ve owned Stoodt’s for 26 years and a lot has changed. There have been more changes in the market business in the last 10 years than in the previous 50 years,” Bernie Hollar said.
In early July 1961, between his junior and senior years in high school, Hollar began working as a teenager for George and Marge Stoodt.
“I’ve been working at Stoodt’s for 55 years,” Hollar said.
The old Stoodt’s was located where Brumbee’s is today on Main Street in Bellville.
“George moved the store to the location of the old sanitarium and built this building in 1968,” Hollar said.
Since buying Stoodt’s 26 years ago, the Hollars have completed numerous remodeling jobs, the last in 2000.
“We have 28 employees and have 53,000 items on the inventory list,” Hollar said.
The Hollars sold the business but the building is owned by Marge Stoodt, who has a lease agreement with Potes. The agreement includes keeping the name, “Stoodt’s Market.”
Retirement for Sharon and Bernie Hollar means they will be able to continue their volunteer work in Bellville.
Bernie is a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department.
Sharon is a volunteer at Butler Elementary school, officially retiring in 2012. When she started as a teacher’s aide, a degree was not required. She worked in physical education, music, the library and as a secretary. Sharon worked as a substitute at Bellville Elementary full-time for 10 years and then at Butler Elementary for 20 years before retiring.
She also will continue to volunteer at the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center, BNOC.
The Hollars will also attend more girls’ basketball games for Clear Fork and OSU.
“Our daughter, Shelly (a chemist at WIL Research in Ashland), has been a scorekeeper, so we’ll be going to more of the games,” Hollar said.
The Hollars retirement will include travel and anything but golf.
He will remain at the store for the next two weeks while the transition to Potes continues.
Bernie is a Vietnam veteran and the couple plans to visit an old friend from the service along with a stop in Myrtle Beach.
“We want to thank all of our customers and employees, both past and present, for their support over the years,” he said.
