The Dented Can Market is now in a larger building at 25941 State Road 119 in Goshen. The move comes after 20 years at a previous location, allowing the store to enhance its product range and improve the shopping experience for customers.
The staff held a grand reopening and 20th-anniversary celebration at the new location in December 2024, with discounts and free samples. Established in 2004 by Paul Royer, the store began as a salvage outlet specializing in dented and damaged canned goods, offering customers budget-friendly options without compromising on quality. The original store was previously a dairy barn that was in the Royer family. When the dairy barn closed, Royer saw an opportunity to gut it and bring a community need to life.
“Some friends had small discount stores and I wanted to find a way for people in my community to save money on groceries,” Paul says.
Royer’s vision was simple yet impactful: to provide affordable groceries to the residents of Goshen while minimizing food waste. His commitment to this mission resonated with the community, and The Dented Can quickly gained a loyal customer base. As the store grew, so did its offerings. Beyond canned goods and nonperishables, the store expanded to include fresh produce, dairy products and meats.
The Royer family’s dedication to the business and community is shown through generational interest. Royer’s son, Brenton Royer, took on ownership of the store, bringing fresh ideas while maintaining the store’s core values. Under Brenton’s leadership, the store has continued to thrive, adapting to changing market dynamics and customer needs. The father-son duo’s hands-on approach ensures that The Dented Can remains true to its roots while embracing growth opportunities.
In recent years, the store’s growth trajectory was most notably influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other groceries, during this period The Dented Can navigated supply-chain challenges, ensuring the availability of essential items like flour and yeast.
Their reliability for in-demand items positions the store as a crucial resource for customers seeking both staple and specialty food items.
The new location, featuring 12,000 square feet of retail space, also includes 8,000 square feet of warehousing. The new freezer and cooler spaces allow for more cold and frozen food options including deli cheeses and meats, making the store a full-market facility. Because of the enhancements, the store was renamed The Dented Can Market, previously known as The Dented Can.
The expansion also reflects the Royer family’s responsiveness to community needs. Recognizing the growing demand for its unique offerings during periods of inflation, the larger store is designed to accommodate a wider array of products, including more fresh and locally sourced items. They now carry products from a local Goshen coffee roaster, and also offer free coffee in-store for shoppers.
The new location also features an aisle for discounted items that are close to their best-by dates, but still of high quality.
“The atmosphere and the friendly staff is what keeps our store going,” Brenton says. “We’re more of a small community atmosphere than a corporate grocery store.”
The store can be reached at 574-862-2212.
