Bamber’s Superette Food Market

Bamber’s Superette Blends Family, Tradition & Global Flavor

Stroll down Mishawaka Avenue in South Bend, and the warm aroma of fresh bread and nostalgia drifts from Bamber’s Superette. For 75 years, this quaint grocery has anchored the neighborhood, supplying everything from imported olive oils and Italian wines to festive holiday treats.

For many, Bamber’s isn’t merely a grocery store; it’s a sensory time capsule. As you browse rows of carefully curated imports and bustling deli counters, Gene and Gina Bamber greet regulars by name.

A Family Legacy

The story of Bamber’s Superette starts long before Gene’s father opened the shop in July 1950. The roots go back to 1915, when Gene’s grandfather immigrated to South Bend from Italy and opened his first grocery store.

“It was just something that was in our blood,” Gene says. “My dad saw this neighborhood growing and decided to build a grocery store here.”

That neighborhood, and the store, grew together. In the decades that followed, Gene’s family poured themselves into the business. Each relative lent a hand. Uncles stocked shelves after factory shifts. Cousins wrapped orders on weekends. Aunts balanced books between restaurant shifts.

“Everybody helped each other,” Gene says. “It’s just what you did back then.”

That close-knit, old-world value system still defines the store today.

A Corner Market That Outlasted the Chains

Like many small grocers across America, Bamber’s faced tough times in the 1990s when big-box retailers began flooding the market. Instead of closing their doors, the Bambers chose a different path—one that honored their heritage and their loyal customers.

“When the Walmart and Meijer stores came in, they took all the big brands, such as Del Monte, Campbell’s, everything,” Gene says.

So, he chose another path.

That direction turned out to be a brilliant pivot. In 1976, Gene began importing specialty foods from around the world, long before global cuisine was mainstream. Among the first imports were truffles. Premium olive oils and artisanal pasta quickly followed. Soon, balsamic vinegars and fine cheeses joined the lineup.

“We had people from Notre Dame, St. Mary’s and around the world,” Gene says. “They’d ask for something, and I’d find it. That’s how it all started.”

It worked. While neighboring grocers shuttered, Bamber’s became the go-to destination to find that perfect pasta you remembered from a trip to Rome.

More Than a Market

Step through the door, and you’ll find the neighborhood’s soul. Regulars stop in to grab a bottle of Chianti or a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Many linger to chat with Gene about family, football weekend or their next special meal.

That sense of connection, Gene says, is what keeps him showing up every morning.

“Helping someone new, a young person learning to cook, or somebody planning a special dinner. It’s like when you invite family over: you want to make them happy. That’s our job, too,” Gene says.

And though the store may be small, its reputation looms large. Ask around South Bend, and locals will tell you Bamber’s is where they go when they want real ingredients and friendly faces.

Celebrating the Seasons

The holiday season brings magic all its own to the market, the air vibrates with festive chatter.

“We start getting the panettone and colomba cakes in around November,” Gene says. “People love them, and we usually stock enough to last until Easter.”

It’s the kind of rhythm only decades of tradition can create. It’s a blend of faith, food and familiarity that continues to bring people back each year.

The Secret Ingredient

Gene’s philosophy is simple.

“You have to be thankful to every person who walks in,” he says. “Whether they buy one thing or a hundred, you’re grateful. You stay humble. That’s how we’ve always done it.”

Maybe that’s the real secret behind Bamber’s longevity. It’s not just the house-made deli selections — it’s the genuine warmth that greets you inside the door. The kind you can’t fake, mass-produce or order online.

Bamber’s Superette is located at 1145 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, Indiana. They’re open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 574-287-1871.