BELLVILLE — In January 2016, Jason Potes became the owner of Stoodt’s in Bellville, following in the footsteps of founder, George Stoodt and recently retired owners, Bernie and Sharon Hollar.
Potes, who studied economics at The Ohio State University, grew up in Fredericktown.
“I had a strong desire to be my own boss,” he said. “I have always wanted to serve a small community in some capacity and with the experience I had in the grocery industry coupled with Bernie’s age, we were able to reach a purchase agreement.”
Potes has a strong background in the grocery business. With the purchase of Stoodt’s, he refers to himself as “president, CEO and bagger.”
“My experience began as a bagger for Kroger in 2000. I went to college and continued with Kroger that whole time,” Potes said. “I was offered a management training position with them out of college and became a co-manager shortly after. I served in various stores then got a job as a district coordinator, then moved to a store manager for the most recent five years.
“When I step back and look at it, I have been in the grocery business half of my life. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
As Potes gets acquainted with the staff and customers, he has plans for the store, planning to begin selling more locally grown products, starting with eggs and milk from Wooster.
“My immediate plans began immediately upon takeover which included a complete overhaul of the produce department. Sales have since doubled,” he reported. “I have also been looking daily into ways to push further into the organic and natural foods commodities.
“Customers have responded very favorably to those additions. We will continue that push going forward.”
Showing his dedication to the Clear Fork Valley, Potes has started a campaign to benefit Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center.
“I also began a campaign at the registers to end hunger in the Clear Fork Valley. We are asking our customers if they would like to round their total to the nearest dollar with 100 percent of those proceeds going to the (BNOC),” he said. “To date, the generous and awesome people of this area have already given over $1,200 in loose change to support their less fortunate neighbors.
“These food pantries can stretch that total by as much as a factor of six. That’s a lot of meals for just a little change here and there.”
Potes is married and the father of two boys.
“I currently reside with my wife and two boys in Lexington. We look forward to moving to town at some point in the coming months,” Potes said. “I grew up in Fredericktown and have attended the Clear Fork Alliance Church in Bellville for some time so I am very familiar and very fond of this area.”
