what’s inside

We wouldn’t want to put anything on your table that we wouldn’t put on our own. You’ll find a variety of food from small local and regional farmers who are on their second and third generations with us.

Meat

Rife’s has a broad meat selection, with the option to call ahead and have your order ready when you arrive. Everything from USDA prime steaks, beef and pork to fresh chicken, several varieties of hand-made sausage and deli meats. Bob from E. R. Boliantz Packing Company in Ashland, Ohio, proudly services Rife’s with his premium beef, pork, veal and lamb that’s certified Ohio Proud.

Dairy

Farm-fresh eggs in brown and white, hand-made mozzarella balls, milk, heavy cream and whipped cream are just some of the staples available. You can find a fresh-baked custard pie cooling in the deli case, fresh cole slaw and artisan-quality aged parmigiano-reggiano—so many convenient items to enjoy.

Flowers and such

In the spring, we have beautiful flower and vegetable plants from a nursery near Toledo. In the fall, we have mums, gourds, Indian corn, squash, pumpkins and many decorations that are native to Ohio.

Necessities

We carry all those items most of us need—household items like dish gloves and toilet paper; baking aids like tin foil and parchment paper; party items like disposable flatware and plates. And of course, we offer a wide selection of wines, beers and other beverages.

services we offer

Call ahead to have your meat pre-cut, order special occasion meal ingredients, or to be notified when what you’re looking for arrives.

Meat cutting

The craftsman era of cutting meat is alive and well in Rife’s. We offer cuts you can trust for quality, and you don’t have to wait in line. Just call us at 614-488-7151 to order, then pick up on the way home from work, or when you’re ready.

Produce alert

Many produce items have extremely short seasons, and each year, the weather dictates when they are ready to harvest. (i.e., several varieties of berries, rhubarb, lima beans, peas, Damson plums—you name it, we probably have it when it’s in season.) You can be put on a “call list” to be notified when the produce or product you’re looking for arrives.

Special occasion dinners

We’d love to help make your meal special. You can place orders for specific items, then pick it up before our closing for the holiday. Be sure and check out ordering info in the tab to the right, or just give us a call.

where we’re from

Charles and Mamie Rife lived and farmed on Tremont Road. He was a truck farmer. He’d go all over Ohio and surrounding states, buying produce that was in season and reselling it to retailers in Ohio. There was always some left, so he opened his own retail fruit stand. He’d also haul truckloads of citrus from Florida back to Ohio for the holidays. As the produce stand became more and more successful, he expanded it. In June of 1936, Charles and Mamie moved their open-air fruit stand to the present location at the corner of Grandview and 5th Avenues. In the 1940’s, their son, Wayne, came on board to grow the market by adding the meat department. Over the years, many other family members were also active at the market. In 1944, when he was 8 years old, Wayne’s son, Sam, started his career by sweeping the floors. Sam went on to own the market for over 40 years.

Today the family market is owned and operated by Sam’s daughter, Mary Kay Rife, and her husband, Mike Zimmerman. In 1997, Mary Kay came back to work for her father after time away from the family business. In 1998, she and Mike committed to continue the family’s service to neighbors and friends with quality food at a fair price.

Many of the current suppliers for the store’s produce, meat and dairy go back generations. The Hilliard sweet corn offered in the store today is from the same family-owned farm that serviced her great-grandfather.

Rife’s is now a complete market, offering everything from freshly picked greens to necessities like dish detergent. We have a full meat department including deli varieties, extensive cheese offerings, and incredible fresh-baked pies. Come in often to see what’s new.