By Marjorie Hopkins
TERRE HAUTE — Longevity in the business world is an anomaly for most entrepreneurs. According to the Small Business Administration, two-thirds of new businesses only survive for two years, and only 44 percent make it through to the four-year mark. And yet there are numerous businesses in the Terre Haute area that have been in business for decades. The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce lists nearly 120 local businesses that have been around a half-century to a full century. So, just what is the secret to their success?
Several longtime local business owners echoed some of the same secrets: excellent customer service; good employees; being unique. But the one thread that connected all the answers was simply a love for the community they serve.
Bob Baesler, owner of Baesler’s Market, which first opened in Terre Haute in 1894, said he couldn’t imagine living in and serving another community. “I’ve always lived here. I went to school here. I raised my kids here. It’s a great community and it’s been great to us.”
Perhaps that is because Baesler’s also has been good to the community. When asked about all the support and community giving for which this food market is known, Baesler said, “I don’t like to talk about that. If you give to get in return, you’re not really giving, you’re just trading.”
Baesler’s prides itself on being first, better or different in every area. It was the first grocery to offer a gasoline station in 2000. “People thought we were crazy,” Baesler said. It turned out they were just ahead of their time; they were first. The products offered at the market are of the finest quality and not always available elsewhere, Baesler added. The best Angus beef and Boar’s Head meats, for example, set them apart.
“Over the years, we have continued to differentiate our self from other stores.” And the best customer service puts them ahead of the game, according to Baesler. At his store, you’ll find enough employees to serve customers in the aisles as well as at the checkout, especially at holiday times when customers are scurrying and needing immediate attention.
Baesler’s Market was started by Bob’s great-grandfather, George, who opened the store at 13th Street and Wabash Avenue. Bob’s grandfather, Herman, took over the business and handed it down to his son, Charlie, who eventually turned the keys over to Bob. The market has been at its present location at 2900 Poplar St. since 2000.
Another small, privately owned grocer on the other end of town gave much the same account. Mike’s Market has been serving the Wabash Valley since the 1900s, when Steve Nasser’s grandparents opened shop. It was then handed down to Mike Nasser and on to his son, Steve.
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I don’t even like to go on vacation,” Steve said. He, too, raised his children in the Valley and loves to serve the community that supports him. Good meats and excellent customer service are secrets to keeping Mike’s Market profitable. “We’ve found our niche. We have a butcher who cuts meat fresh every day. He’s been with us for 38 years. We have another one who’s been with us for 20 years. It’s more of a family atmosphere. People get to know your employees and feel at home.”
Jim Sitarski, owner of the Poplar Flower Shop, can’t say enough good things about Terre Haute. “I think Terre Haute is just great,” he said, enumerating on its exceptional qualities, including honest people. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” he added. Sitarski’s grandparents, Mac and Myrtle Randolph, opened the shop in 1920. Giving people their money’s worth and good customer service are at the top of Sitarski’s list for business survival.
“We’re always keeping up with modern technology, too,” he said. Underwater flower cutting is one example. It’s a relatively new technology to extend the life of fresh cut flowers. Sitarski also has employees who have worked for him and served his customers for years. Several have been with him for more than 20 years.
“We treat everyone like family,” he said. “And we are professional florists.” You can buy flowers from flower sellers, he said, or you can buy them from a professional florist. When customers come to his shop, they come with a purpose. “They are not impulse-buying some flowers in a grocery store.”
Future plans for the Poplar Flower Shop include staying up-to-date on new technology and, simply put, serving the Wabash Valley with good customer service and products for a long time to come.
Clabber Girl, a name synonymous with Terre Haute, has been around since the 1850s, when its parent company, Hulman & Co., was established. It is now a fifth-generation, family owned business. Clabber Girl has manufactured baking powder since 1870 and manufactures the No. 1 and No. 2 brand retail baking powder in the world.
This little “mom and pop” company started in the 1800s now exports to 40 countries and manufactures baking powder for industrial, food service and private-label distribution. Its product line over the years has expanded to include such items as cornstarch and cookie and brownie mixes. Royal gelatins, puddings and dessert for food services are also a Clabber Girl line.
This year will mark the introduction of Clabber Girls’ new Caribbean Cocoa for baking. Speaking for the company, Teresa Shaffer says, “Clabber Girl is an iconic brand that has a vision for the future and has become innovative, changing with the baking industry to meet the needs of customers.” The Hulman family also has a long history in Terre Haute and is dedicated to its hometown and invests in the community, she added. “We work with a great group of people from the community that makes up our Clabber Girl family and make this a great place to work and do business.”
Business survivability is based on building those community and individual relationships, offering quality products-goods-services at an affordable price, providing excellent customer service, becoming engaged in the community and treating employees right, according to Rod Henry, president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. “Terre Haute consumers and businesses work hard on the connections which lead to business relationships that have been passed down year-to-year, decade-to-decade.”
Some of the oldest businesses in Terre Haute include First Financial Bank, Prox and Co., Heinl’s Flower Shop, The Tribune-Star, Kadel’s Holiday Shoppe and Hulman & Co.
Time tested
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce lists nearly 120 local businesses that have been around a half-century to a full century.
Among the oldest:
Baesler’s Market opened 1894
Mike’s Market opened 1900s
Poplar Flower Shop opened 1920
Hulman & Co. opened 1850s
