Change in the market Shift from Dairy Bar to Heisler’s nearly complete
Owners Ed Heisler Sr. and his son, Ed Jr., are shown in the middle of Heisler’s Market, the former Dairy Bar in McMurray, last Monday.
Exterior of Heisler’s Market in McMurray
The Dairy Bar was at a crossroads at the crossroads.
A new family was succeeding an established family as owners of McMurray Dairy Bar and Market, as it was known officially. And Ed Heisler Sr. and Ed Heisler Jr. planned changes.
Rebranding it Heisler’s Market was the first, and easiest, transition during the frosty February switchover. The Eds didn’t want to stop there, though. They wanted to open some space, upgrade the decor, expand dining options – basically, adhere to their model of an ideal grocery/cafe/deli/catering service.
Mostly.
Inside and outside, Heisler’s Market is downright spiffy, with appealing signs at the entrance and category lettering within. The interior is bright and orderly, with the Delicatessen, Hot Food, Pizza, Grab & Go, Bakery and dining areas within close proximity, separated from the grocery.
“We took out a wall that split the two areas,” Ed Jr. said.
“We more or less opened this area,” his father said, adding that the market essentially did not grow. It still has about 12,000 square feet.
Renovations, for the most part, were completed in late September. “We still have a few things to do,” Ed Sr. said.
The place, at the intersection of East McMurray and Valley Brook roads, now is decidedly Heisler’s Market. But the father and son opted to not overdo the redo. This, after all, was the Dairy Bar, an iconic Peters destination for decades, popular within the township and surrounding municipalities.
Why overhaul a business that had been a longtime success under the Duckworth clan? The new owners are adhering to a time-honored pledge Gary and Carol Duckworth made and followed.
“We want to serve the community and be customer-oriented,” Ed Sr. said.
He and Ed Jr. are striving to fulfill many needs. In addition to standard grocery offerings, its signature baked ham and ready-to-eat favorites like wings and chicken, the market stocks gluten-free and organic items, has a salad bar accompanying the food/dining area and domestic and imported cheeses.
Quick pickup items and catering are two areas the Heislers are emphasizing, and they hired two chefs to handle those duties.
“We need to do a lot of catering, and we want to have a lot of prepared foods, meals that are ready to take home. People are so busy today,” Ed Sr. said.
“We wanted to offer more in Peters. Peters Township has changed a lot. More people live here. Al’s Cafe was the end of the world when I was in high school.”
That would have been Baldwin High School. Ed Sr. grew up in Whitehall and now lives in Mt. Lebanon. His son still resides in Whitehall.
Ed Jr. is a fourth-generation grocery operator. His great-grandfather started the tradition with a mom-and-pop store in Braddock, the Eighth Street Market. Ed Sr. has been in that industry since 1971, at Foodland, Shop ‘n Save and Food Arena stores in the Pittsburgh and Butler regions. His sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Dan McNabb, run the Castle Shannon Shop ‘n Save.
Father and son assumed ownership of the Dairy Bar on Feb. 10, about a year after they began talks with the Duckworths, who wanted to retire. Carol Duckworth died Jan 31, just before the sale was completed.
At that time, many patrons were concerned that the store would close. To their relief, and gratification, it endures – and is no longer at a crossroads of uncertainty.
Heisler’s Market is open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Its phone number is 724-941-8250. For more information, visit heislersmarket.com.