TOTO — Marks New Toto Stores, among the original bargain stores in Toto, is closing its doors.
Opened by Jack and Alma Marks in 1949, the three stores will close on Dec. 24, according to owner Sydney Marks.
Marks said the stores, which began in the old Hewlett General Store building, no longer are economically viable.
Toto has been known as a destination for bargain-seeking shoppers from Northwest Indiana and Chicago since the 1950s.
“All roads lead to Toto” was a familiar advertising phrase, and the David Weinberg Store and
New Toto Stores drew shoppers from all over, especially on weekends.
But times and the economics of discount stores have changed, according to Marks.
The David Weinberg Store, which began as a business that shipped vegetables to Chicago, grew out of the Weinberg family’s ability to find bargains in Chicago and resell them in Toto. It closed in 2003.
Marks said the New Toto Stores began as a “shirttail” business, designed to tap into the thousands of Weinberg’s shoppers.
Now, the three New Toto Stores — a clothing, drapery and shoe store, all built in the 1960s at the Toto crossroads — along with a busy Internet and eBay enterprise, are in the process of being sold and the merchandise liquidated.
The loss of Weinberg’s and New Toto Stores will have some effect on Toto, but there are several business that still draw shoppers to the rural Starke County community.
Richard’s of Toto and several smaller businesses remain in Toto itself.
At the edge of the small town is the massive Bailey’s Discount Center and two carpet and cabinet centers.
There also are a crafts and ice cream shop, Grand Pause Farm, as well as what will be the oldest remaining Toto business, Joey’s Wallpaper Store, which is owned by members of the Weinberg family.