Buehler's Fresh Foods
| Company type | Employee-owned company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Grocery retail |
| Founded | 1929 in New Philadelphia, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Ed and Helen Buehler |
| Headquarters | Wooster , United States |
Area served | Ohio |
Key people | Dan Shanahan (President and COO), Rick Lowe (VP Human Resources), Mike Davidson (VP Store Operations) |
| Products | Groceries, local produce, dairy, meats |
Number of employees | Approximately 256 (from closures affecting 131 + 125 employees) |
| Website | www |
Overview
Buehler's Fresh Foods, commonly referred to as Buehler's, is a grocery retail chain established in 1929 by Ed and Helen Buehler in New Philadelphia, Ohio, United States. The company expanded with a second store opening in Wooster, Ohio, in 1932. Over the years, Buehler's has grown steadily, maintaining its commitment to quality and community-oriented service.
History and Expansion
Following the initial New Philadelphia location, the Wooster store was launched in 1932 at 120 E. Liberty Street. It relocated twice within Wooster—first to the 100 block of North Market Street in 1947, then to its present address at 336 N. Market Street in 1951. Additional branches were established in Dover (1941), Orrville (1959), Medina (1964 and again in 1992), Coshocton (1968), Delaware (1969), and Wadsworth (1975). The company’s office and warehouse transitioned from downtown Wooster to Old Mansfield Road in 1974. The Milltown store in Wooster was constructed in 1980 and underwent expansion nine years later.
Local Sourcing and Sustainability
Buehler's stands as the foremost buyer of Amish-grown produce at the Mt. Hope Auction. The supermarket chain also prioritizes sourcing dairy products and meats from nearby farms that emphasize sustainable practices, reinforcing its dedication to supporting local agriculture.
Employee Ownership Transition
On October 18, 2017, the parent organization, E&H Family Group, declared the sale of its thirteen supermarket locations to employees through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). This transition resulted in the formation of Buehler’s Fresh Foods, which is managed by a leadership team composed of seasoned Buehler’s personnel. This team includes Dan Shanahan, who has served as president and COO since 2011; Rick Lowe, vice president of Human Resources since 1977; and Mike Davidson, vice president of Store Operations since 2015.
Other Business Activities
E&H Hardware Group, operating as a division of E&H Family Group, manages 25 hardware outlets across Ohio under the E&H Ace Hardware brand. The sale of Buehler's ESOP did not affect the operations of E&H Hardware Group.
Store Openings and Closures
- On January 4, 2016, Buehler's revealed plans to permanently shut its Delaware supermarket located at 800 West Central Avenue, Delaware, Ohio. The announcement indicated that the closure was expected to occur between mid and late February 2016. Buehler's attributed the decision to intensified competition within the Delaware market and unsuccessful recovery efforts. This event represented the company’s first-ever supermarket closure unconnected to relocation. The Delaware store ceased operations on February 13, 2016, impacting 131 employees. This closure reduced the total number of supermarkets in the chain from 15 to 14.
- On the afternoon of Monday, September 26, 2016, Buehler's issued an official statement confirming the shutdown of its Brunswick supermarket at 3688 Center Road, Brunswick, Ohio. The company explained that the store had been underperforming for a considerable period amid Medina County’s competitive retail environment. As a result, 125 employees were affected by this closure. The final business day at this location was October 21, 2016, bringing the supermarket count down from 14 to 13.
- On November 17, 2021, Buehler's Fresh Foods inaugurated a new store in Galion, Ohio, restoring the total number of supermarkets to 14.