Bamber's may be small but it's mighty

In a time when impersonal big-box retailers dominate the landscape, Bamber's Superette Food Market maintains the feel of the corner grocer.

Bamber's is tiny. While a modern grocery store typically starts at about 50,000 square feet, Bamber's is only 4,800 square feet.

But in its relatively modest space, the store manages to carry most necessities while remaining true to its focus on unique foods, beverages, candies and more.

Gene Bamber, who runs the store with his wife Gini and help from his uncles Louie and Bill Bamber, took over the store in 1974 after graduating from college.

Located at 1145 Mishawaka Ave. near the Farmer's Market, the store was founded by Bamber's father John as a traditional neighborhood grocery.

"A family business is not the right thing for some people," said Bamber, "but it was for me.

Though Bamber never doubted he wanted to run the family business, he did have his own ideas. Just a year after he took over, he decided to start moving...