Owners not planning to rebuild Martin’s Country Market in Ephrata [update]

The owners of Martin’s Country Market in Ephrata Township do not plan to rebuild the old grocery store after a fire destroyed the building in February.

“In the weeks since the fire the family has come to the realization that rebuilding the store the way that we all remember it, is no longer feasible,” the Martin family said in the statement shared by Nevin Martin, store president.

The statement said that the family plans to “explore the redevelopment of or potential sale of the property.”

The grocery store was a staple in the community since the 1980s and employed about 120 people. The business was founded in 1932, and the last market building was built in 1983.

“This is a loss for the community,” said Liz Ackerman, executive director of the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. Ackerman learned of the businesses decision when contacted by LNP | LancasterOnline. “Martin’s was an integral part of the northern Lancaster Community and a community hub.”

Ackerman said that she believes the family businesses in the area will rise to fill the demand left by Martin’s and also be integral in hiring Martin’s employees who now need to move onto the next phase of their lives.

“This decision has been difficult and is bittersweet,” the Martins’ statement said. “We want to thank our loyal customers for their support over the years.”

The statement provided no specific details regarding what options are being discussed for the location. Martin declined further comment.

There have been rumors of Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital being interested in the location.

Ryan Coyle, a media representative with Wellspan, said last week that the hospital did not purchase the property. A request for comment if there was discussion about the property was not responded to.

“All that I can share is what I had provided last week,” Coyle said in response to an LNP | LancasterOnline request for comment on Thursday on if there was a sales agreement or discussion about the property.

Many local business in the area were unaware of the decision by the Martin family and asked for time to respond when an LNP | LancasterOnline reporter called.

“We all thought they (Martin family) were going to rebuild,” said Matt Nonnenmocher, general manager for Auto Wurks. The auto repair shop is across the street from the old Martin’s Country Market.

Nonnenmocher said he did not know of the decision until the LNP | LancasterOnline story.

“It takes away the opportunity to go across the street and get lunch.” Nonnenmocher said. “It (the grocery store) will be missed.”

Early morning fire

Early on Feb. 15, firefighters arrived within minutes to the store at 1717 W. Main St. (Route 322) in Ephrata Township. Flames reached the store’s roofline and spread rapidly. Because the market was built in the early 1980s, it was not required to have a sprinkler system.

The investigating fire marshal could not determine the cause due to the extensive damage, Pennsylvania State Police said in March. Fire marshals are part of the state police force.

Police also said investigators did not find anything they deemed suspicious.