Marc's is a discount drugstore-and-grocery chain, with stores in northern and central Ohio.[1] It is owned by Clevelander Marc Glassman, who also owns Xpect Discounts, a five-store chain in western Connecticut.

Bernie Shulman opened his first mega-discount drug store in Mayfield Heights in the 1970s (He died in 1976.)[2] In 1979 one of Shulman's managers, Marc Glassman, opened his own store, Marc's, on the west side of Cleveland in the Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights.[2] That first store was badly damaged in a fire in October 1980 that started in, and destroyed, the adjacent J.C. Penney department store. Marc's closed for several months, eventually reopening in a larger space at the same site.

Following the success of the Middleburg Heights store, Glassman built additional Marc's stores. In 1983 he purchased Shulman's store.[2] Glassman continued to build stores in Greater Cleveland. Glassman's western stores were named Marc's, while those to the east were named Bernie Shulman's, to honor Shulman, and because of brand recognition.

As the Marc's stores expanded south, to Solon and Akron the recognition of the Marc's name grew. Glassman decide to retire theBernie Shulman's name for new stores, using the Marc's name for grand openings, including east of Cleveland. The first of the Marc's "superstores" opened in Garfield Heights on June 30, 1992.[3] By year's end, all Bernie Shulman's stores were rebranded Marc's.

Marc's stores have a "deep-er discounts." philosophy
The company is rarely discussed in the media. Employees are prohibited from giving interviews; Glassman also does not speak toreporters.[4] Marc's has expanded to nearly 60 stores in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Columbus areas.

Other Ventures
In the 1980s, Glassman also owned a small deli/grill restaurant next to the Middleburg Heights/Southland store. That restaurant closed when the Southland store expanded into the space occupied by the restaurant. A small grill was set up inside the Marc's store.

In 1987 Glassman purchased, at auction, a Chuck E. Cheese (restaurant/video game venue) in the Southland center, near the Marc's store. It was converted into Marc's Funtime Pizza Palace. Similar to a Chuck E. Cheese, it was a popular place for children's birthday parties. About a year later a second Chuck E. Cheese, in nearby North Olmsted, was purchased. When the Chuck E. Cheese franchise vacated the area, Glassman acquired and converted several venues in Greater Cleveland. By 2004 all Marc's Funtime Pizza Palaces were closed. The original Marc's Funtime at Southland was among the strip of stores that were demolished, to build a BJ's Wholesale Club.

In 1994, Glassman purchased the Dover Lake Waterpark in Sagamore Hills, Ohio which he operated until 2005.[5] The park was sold in 2006 to the Brandywine Ski Resort which used the property for expansion.[5]

Several years later, Xpect Discounts was created; all five of its stores are in Connecticut.

References
1. ^ "Marc's succeeds on its terms.". Chain Drug Review. 1999-04-26. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
2. ^ a b c "Unorthodox approach pays big dividends for Marc's". 1994-04-24. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
3. ^ a b "Glassman's empire adds its 'jewel in the crown'". Drug Store News. 1992.
4. ^ "Marc's drives its business with everyday low pricing.". Chain Drug Review. 1997-04-28. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
5. ^ a b Marotta, Eric (Jan. 17), Dover Lake tapped for ski area growth: Brandywine buys park, plans to expand, retrieved Dec. 17, 2011