Robert Barnitz and his wife Corena founded Bob’s Market and Greenhouses, Inc. in 1970. The business started as a small roadside market selling fresh produce. Bob built two small greenhouses in his back yard to grow vegetable plants for field crop production. He saw an opportunity and also began producing flowering bedding plants to increase the product mix at the roadside market.
The 1970s were marked with slow growth for the business as Bob was also working a full-time job at a local chemical plant. Corena was kept very busy with five sons at home and helping with the fledgling business. Bob soon realized it was much easier to control the environment in a greenhouse rather than in an open field. He and his young son began building more greenhouses and increasing the bedding plant business as field crops diminished.
In the 1980s Bob and his sons began double cropping their greenhouse space. Planting for the southern states’ growing season and then replanting for the local area accomplished this. From the beginning, quality plants and premium customer service drove the business and its growth. The orders for the southern customers were delivered within 24 hours on privately owned and operated trucks.
The 1990s brought a new opportunity for growth as Bob’s Market was approached by Ball Seed Company to become a plug (seedling) supplier for their company. In 1998, Bob’s Market produced 7 million plugs for Ball Seed; just one year later that number had grown to 28 million. In the 1990s, Bob and his five sons also looked at expanding their retail presence in the surrounding local areas. Retail stores were opened in Galliapolis and Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV. These new stores complimented the original store in Mason, WV and propelled retail sales to 20% of total business revenue.
A new century also brought new opportunities for the business. In addition to the yearly increasing plug production for Ball Seed, a new product line was added when Bob’s Market became a rooting station for Dummen USA, a German based plant breeder. Within two years, this product line has tripled its first year production.
In the 1980s Bob and his sons began double cropping their greenhouse space. Planting for the southern states’ growing season and then replanting for the local area accomplished this. From the beginning, quality plants and premium customer service drove the business and its growth. The orders for the southern customers were delivered within 24 hours on privately owned and operated trucks.
The 1990s brought a new opportunity for growth as Bob’s Market was approached by Ball Seed Company to become a plug (seedling) supplier for their company. In 1998, Bob’s Market produced 7 million plugs for Ball Seed; just one year later that number had grown to 28 million. In the 1990s, Bob and his five sons also looked at expanding their retail presence in the surrounding local areas. Retail stores were opened in Galliapolis and Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV. These new stores complimented the original store in Mason, WV and propelled retail sales to 20% of total business revenue.
A new century also brought new opportunities for the business. In addition to the yearly increasing plug production for Ball Seed, a new product line was added when Bob’s Market became a rooting station for Dummen USA, a German based plant breeder. Within two years, this product line has tripled its first year production.
Today, Bob and his five sons continue to manage the business with quality products, customer service, and business integrity at the heart of all they do. The management team consists of:
In 2009, plant production totals for Bob’s Market and Greenhouses, Inc. are projected to be:
- Robert W. Barnitz, President
- William R. Barnitz, Vice President in charge of Seedling Production
- Eric D. Barnitz, Vice President and Head Grower
- Alex S. Barnitz, Vice President in charge of Retail Sales and Rooted Liner Division
- Jeffery A. Barnitz, Vice President in charge of Transportation
- John M. Barnitz, Vice President in charge of Shipping
In 2009, plant production totals for Bob’s Market and Greenhouses, Inc. are projected to be:
- 120 Million Plugs (Ball Seed)
- 4 Million Rooted Liners (Dummen)
- 420,000 Flats of Bedding Plants
- 85,000 Hanging Baskets
- 25,000 Potted Plants
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