All in the Family: Weber’s corner store

Weber's Market has weathered a lot of storms-both figurative and literal- in its 136-year history. Despite flood waters lapping at its second story walls and chain supermarkets forcing many fellow corner groceries out of business, Weber's has remained a fixed constant on the corner of Third and Scammel streets since 1876.

A couple of things have made possible the resilience of the market-adaptation to change and a long standing family, according to current owner Tony Weber.

"I don't know how small businesses like this would operate if you didn't have family," he said.

JASMINE ROGERS The Marietta Times Webers Market owner Tony Weber, left, chats with customer Neil Brown at the store Monday. The corner grocery has been in Webers family for nearly 140 years.

Tony, 56, took over the business from his parents, Dick and Betty Weber in 1988, and is one of many in a long line of relatives who have taken the reigns of the store. The first, Tony's great-grandfather August, founded the August Weber Grocery Company in 1876.

August and brother Adam had recently immigrated to the area from Germany where they had been plasterers. Unable to plaster in the cold winter months, August started operating a market out of his small home, said Tony.

When August eventually decided to give up plastering and make the grocery store a year-round job, he had a lot of help, said Betty, 81.

About Weber's Market

- The August Weber Grocery Company was founded in 1876 by August Weber out of his home at the corner of Third and Scammel streets in Marietta.

- All but one of August's eight children helped with some facet of the grocery business.

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All in the Family: Weber's corner store