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In 1967, the Middle River store was damaged
in a fire and the brothers took this opportunity to completely remodel it,
again with the help of Morris Denkin and the added assistance of American
Refrigeration. Over the next 26 years, Angelo and Carmen opened 10 more
stores. These included Vincenzo's Produce Market and The Light Street Bakery
at HarborPlace, which have since closed. The Old North Point Road store
also closed, having been replaced by the Mars at Lynch Manor on Wise Avenue.
In January of 1995, Angelo N. D' Anna died
after serving as the company's President for fifty years. Carmen, who
became President at that time, opened three stores in Glen Burnie, Woodlawn
and Edgewood. After fifty years as the company's Executive Vice President
and three years as President, Carmen V. D'Anna, Sr. died in August of
1997.
Carmen's eldest son, Vito (Carmen V. D'Anna,
Jr.), became President at that time. In the nineteen years preceding his
appointment to President, Vito worked his way up from bagger to store manager
and eventually to Vice President of Operations.
Today, with eighteen stores and over 1700 employees,
Mars is a major employer in the state of Maryland.
Under Vito's leadership, Mars plans to continue
its growth while keeping steadfast to its customer- oriented principles.
Mars is serviced by its own 300,000 square
foot distribution center in Baltimore, supplying the stores with dry groceries,
meats, deli/dairy, frozen and produce. Self distribution ensures the ability
to deliver well stocked stores and fresh products to customers every day.
Supported by their own buying staff, Mars
purchases produce and seafood daily from local markets and always includes
local produce ,when available, from Maryland growers. Offering many national
brands at private label prices, Mars maintains a limited line of their
own private label goods.
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