CATLINS SELL GROCERY BUSINESSTO RAY'S APPLE MARKET

Catlin’s Sell Grocery Business to Ray’s Apple Market

By Terry Bailey

After 26 years operating Catlin’s IGA/Apple Market, Todd and Marla Catlin are looking at other challenges in their lives. Todd Catlin said, “We have been praying and considering other ways of applying our talents for a while.”

The truth of the matter is that Todd became part of the grocery business in 1969 when he was six years old. That was when his dad, Glen, bought the IGA store in Herington. Todd commented, “You might say I have been in the grocery business all my life.”

Todd and Marla were living in the Kansas City area when they purchased the IGA business in Beloit from Fred and Bobbie Hines in 1990. Todd said, “I had worked for the Fleming Corporation for six years and our two daughters were 4 and 2 years old. We wanted to get back to a rural community. When we found the store in Beloit it really fits our needs.”

At the time, the Boogaarts grocery store was still in operation, giving Beloit two supermarkets. The Boogaarts franchise closed all of its stores in the fall of 1998. Since that time Catlin’s has been the sole grocery store in Beloit.

Both Marla and Todd Catlin grew up in Herington, Kansas where Todd’s father, Glenn Catlin, operated Catlin’s IGA. Marla’s father worked for the Rock Island Railroad. After high school they both attended the University of Kansas. Todd majored in business and Marla earned her degree in Pharmacy. Marla applied her pharmacy skills at S&S Pharmacy and has worked there as a pharmacist shortly after moving to Beloit. The Catlin’s have three children, Sarah 29, Emily 27, and Aaron 24. All are graduates of Beloit High School.

When questioned about changes in the grocery business in past 26 years Catlin said, “Everything has changed a lot since we came. The biggest category would be in communications and information. The internet and email keep us much better informed these days. When we first started, we had salesmen calling all the time. Now we are lucky to get two a month.”

The Catlin’s have been active members of the Beloit First Christian Church since moving to Beloit. Additionally, Todd served as the Beloit High Volleyball coach for four years and as the Softball coach for one year. Todd oversaw the summer softball programs for the girls for ten years. Todd was quick to mention his 25 year involvement with the local Rotary Club.

Ray’s Apple Market will take over the operation of Catlin’s on February 29. Rays was founded in Seneca, Ks in 1965 by Ray Floresch. Since then it as expanded its operation and has stores in Seneca, St. Marys, Council Grove, Clay Center and Fairbury, Nebraska. Mike Floresch, the son the founder, and his wife Nelda, are the current owners and operators of the company’s network of stores.

Catlin said the store personnel will remain unchanged with the transfer of ownership. Todd Adolph, current the manager of the meat department, will assume the duties of the store manager.

Catlin said, “Looking back over the years it is overwhelming to thing of all the customers we have had shop in our store and all the employee who have worked for us. We have been blessed in many ways.”

“We are pleased to have Ray’s continue the Apple Market franchise in Beloit. We are confident that Ray’s will offer low prices and great customer service for all our loyal customers. Undoubtedly there will be changes in the store’s layout and appearance. That is expected with the new owners.”

When asked about their plans for the future Catlin said, “We want to take some time to relax and consider all the possibilities. We both have a lot of interests and ideas. Right now we have no hard and fast plans.”

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA