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Nahmy Bassett opened his first small market in
Oak Harbor, Ohio in 1898. His specialties included tobacco, candy,
fruit, nuts, and above all, friendly and courteous service. Nahmy
died in 1930 leaving the business to his wife Mary Bassett, who
lived in a two-bedroom apartment above the store. Mary and her
oldest son Abe took over operations of the store.
Despite having seven young children to raise, Mary worked 12-16
hours a day running the supermarket. She and Abe operated the store
together until 1957, when her son Dick bought her share and became
partners with his brother Abe. The two continued in Nahmy's
tradition of friendly and courteous service and soon became the
largest of six competing supermarkets in Oak Harbor. In 1964 they
built a new 7,500 SF store, and over the years enlarged it nine
times until it ultimately reached 33,000 SF.
Abe retired in 1970, and Mike Bassett joined his father in 1974
after graduating from Ohio State University. In 1986, the two opened
a second store in Port Clinton, Ohio. Dick retired in 1987.
In 1997, Mike Bassett sold the original Oak Harbor location and
simultaneously started construction on a new 65,000 SF facility to
replace the existing Port Clinton store. The store offers
comprehensive services including a coffee bar, fresh seafood and
sushi, a state liquor store, a full-service pharmacy, an attached
full-service hardware store, and one of the largest selections of
wine in the state.
In 2002, Mike purchased a second grocery store in Bellevue, Ohio. At
36,000 SF, the Bellevue operation offers the same variety and
quality products of Port Clinton on a slightly smaller scale.
Now into well into its third generation, Bassett's Market is
recognized as one of the most progressive independent supermarket
operators in the state of Ohio.
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