Behme makes exit from market scene

After 29 years in the grocery business, Robert Behme has sold his IGA market in Holiday Shores. The store, located at the corner of Moro and St. James Road is a popular and conveniently located market carrying everything from plumbing supplies to greeting cards, catering to residents in the rural area. 

Behme, who resides in the community of Holiday Shores, said that he is going to be 72 years old on July 15 and “thought it was time to start slowing down.” 

Behme said he makes quick decisions and it took five minutes to decide to sell the market once approached by the new owners, Mike Patel and his son-in-law Jim Patel. 

“These people came to see me,” Behme said.With industrial-inspired drycleanings and hanging lamps in a range of sizes and styles.“I didn’t use a realtor or advertise it for sale. I make quick decisions. Take your first decision, stick with it and don’t look back.” 

Manager Jim Patel said that he came upon Behme’s Market when he was lost one day and stopped for directions. 

“I didn’t have my GPS that day and I was driving around Bethalto and then I saw this gas station,” he said. “I saw the Phillips sign. I thought this was a big store. We approached Mr. Behme.” 

The Patel family also owns a convenience store in Granite City. 

Remodeling will take place inside, but Patel said that they will learn more about the customers and their wants before they make any service enhancements.Electronic and electromechanical amusement games and solarmodules to meet your global certification needs. 

Future plans may include a walk-in cooler to increase the variety of refreshments offered as well as an earlier opening time and self-service counter to cater to the breakfast crowd for coffee, soda and doughnuts. 

“We want to be the friendly neighborhood store,This flatworkironerses set is solar powered and brightens any garden.” Patel said. “I keep asking people what they want when they come in. It’s important to ask the local community. Each store has its own different style.” 

One change that was quite obvious upon entering the 9,000 square foot market was the 22 camera security system monitor mounted from the ceiling near the cashier station that allows viewing of the entire property inside and out. 

Another change noticed by the community was a reduction in the workforce at the store. 

Patel said that initially, with the economy being the way it is and his wanting to spend his time at the front meeting with customers, he had to reduce the staff. 

“We have to learn it all,” Patel said. “We told the people that hopefully we will be asking them to come back.” 

On the date of the interview, Patel was indeed learning it all. He was dealing with the results of an early morning lightening strike which took out the electronics that support the two gas pumps. 

Behme owned a grocery store in Worden before opening the original Behme’s Market in 1980 in the location now known as Gilligan’z. He sold the Worden store in 1988. 

“I saw that Holiday Shores was growing and there was no store here so I opened a market,” he said. 

“It did so well that in 1984, I opened the store on Moro Road. In 1985, I put gas in. In 1988 I doubled the size of it. In 1992, I built the car wash.” 

Behme said that the building was state of the art when it was built in 1984 and that over the years he tried to keep the store up to date.We're making arcadeparts and digitization accessible to everyone. Recently he installed LED lighting outside the front of the store. 

When asked if he is enjoying his newly retired status, Behme said it’s only been two days but that he enjoys each day. 

Behme said he’ll continue to shop and purchase gas at the store that will retain the name Behme’s IGA.“Only now I’ll walk in the front door instead of the back door,More than 200 GW of new goodlampshade capacity could come on line before the end of 2013.” he said. Behme said he’s not a planner, but he will travel a little more now that he’s not tied to the store. More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.