Skip to content
We're currently hiring for our Hartville store. Apply Now!  

Our Story

The Early Years

Sommers Discount Market, formerly R Grocery Outlet, opened its doors in October of 2007. The store was started and operated by two brothers, Roland and David Sommers. It started out in a small building just down the street from our current location. With no background in retail, Roland and David decided to tackle the challenge of learning a new business. It started as an idea with lots of questions, and finding clear answers was often impossible.

Street view of R Grocery Outlet

Learning from mistakes is never easy, especially when financial risk is involved. Through it all, the brothers stuck to their values and focused on their original goals for the store. Good values and financial success are important to any healthy business, but if one needs to be sacrificed, it will not be their values. That is the very foundation this business is built upon.

Store Expansion

In 2016 the brothers added a fresh deli and produce. At that point, they decided to change their business name from R Grocery Outlet to Sommers Discount Market, to match the “market” feel they were trying to create. “The discount is still our niche, and we don’t want to ever lose that,” Roland says. “Our deli produce and bulk food will always be in date and fresh.”

Customer shopping at Sommers Market’s newly added deli (2016)

In December 2020, the brothers separated ways with Roland continuing with the business. “We parted on good terms,” Roland says. “We both just realized how partnerships can be a hindrance to a company’s growth. I am so thankful to David for all the sweat and tears he put in here. I am also really going to miss working with my brother.  I don’t think either of us could have started this business alone, so I’m very thankful that we were able to start it together.”

Our employees and customers have made this store what it is today. We have heard from numerous customers how much they love the savings at our store and that is a reminder to us of why the store began in the first place. We are thrilled to serve and help our customers cut their costs on groceries and we plan to continue offering these savings.

Please feel free to send us your feedback by e-mail or mail. We love hearing from our customers! You can also fill out the contact form on our contact page!

Want product news and updates?

Sign up for our newsletter.

We care about your data. Read our privacy policy.