5 Key Reasons Why Strack & Van Til Remains A Northwest Indiana Grocery Powerhouse

Strack & Van Til, a name synonymous with grocery shopping in Northwest Indiana, is currently undergoing a significant revitalization, cementing its position as a regional powerhouse in the highly competitive Midwest market. As of December 15, 2025, the independent, family-owned chain is making headlines with multi-million-dollar store upgrades and a sophisticated digital strategy designed to elevate the customer experience and personalization for its loyal shoppers. This commitment to fresh food, community roots, and modern convenience is the core of their updated business model, ensuring the chain's relevance for years to come. The company's story is one of resilience and a deep-seated commitment to the local community, a narrative that has resonated strongly with shoppers in the region. From its humble beginnings in the late 1950s to its current status with over 20 full-service locations, Strack & Van Til has continuously adapted. The recent focus on modernization—including major renovations and an advanced digital platform—shows a clear intention to blend traditional, high-quality service with the expectations of the modern consumer, from personalized weekly ads to convenient delivery options.

The Enduring Legacy: A Brief History of Strack & Van Til

The history of Strack & Van Til is a classic American success story rooted in entrepreneurship and partnership within the Northwest Indiana community.

• Founders: The company was founded through the collaboration of two separate grocery store owners: Ernie Strack and Nick Van Til.
• Inception: The partnership began in the late 1950s, driven by a shared ambition to create a superior full-service food market.
• Regional Footprint: For decades, the chain grew into a beloved, family-run grocery operation across Northwest Indiana.
• Initial Sale (1997): The Strack and Van Til families sold the chain to Central Grocers Inc., an Illinois-based wholesaler.
• The Buy-Back (Post-2017): Following Central Grocers Inc.'s bankruptcy filing, the Strack and Van Til families successfully reacquired the chain. This buy-back marked a significant and emotional return to family ownership, which was described by the family as an "incredible feeling."
• Current Operations: The company now operates stores under the primary banner Strack & Van Til, as well as Town & Country Food Market.

This return to family ownership has fueled a renewed passion for the business, translating into the current wave of investment and strategic upgrades that are visible across their locations, from Hammond to Lowell.

Multi-Million Dollar Upgrades and Store Modernization

One of the most compelling updates for the Strack & Van Til chain is the ongoing, multi-million-dollar investment in store infrastructure and the overall shopping environment. This initiative is a direct response to the competitive pressures of the Midwest grocery market and a commitment to providing a best-in-class experience.

The Lowell Store Expansion: A Case Study in Innovation

A prime example of this commitment is the recent multi-million-dollar upgrade and expansion of the Lowell store. This project is part of a broader strategy to update and innovate the entire chain. These renovations typically focus on several key areas:

• Enhanced Fresh Departments: Significant investment is made in the bakery, meat, seafood, and fresh produce sections, which are the hallmarks of a full-service food market.
• Expanded Prepared Foods: Catering to the busy modern shopper, the stores are expanding their cooked food and ready-to-eat meal options.
• Modern Aesthetics: Upgrades include new flooring, lighting, shelving, and state-of-the-art refrigeration to improve product presentation and energy efficiency.

This focus on physical upgrades ensures that the in-store experience is clean, modern, and efficient, giving customers a compelling reason to choose the local, family-owned option over national competitors.

Elevating the Digital Customer Experience for the Modern Shopper

Beyond physical store upgrades, Strack & Van Til is making aggressive moves into the digital space, leveraging technology to deepen customer loyalty and streamline the shopping process. This digital transformation is critical for maintaining topical authority in the modern retail landscape.

Personalized Digital Circulars and New Platform

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the company introduced a new platform and digital strategy that is fundamentally changing how customers interact with their weekly ad. The key feature is the introduction of personalized digital circulars. Instead of a generic ad, the new system tailors special offers and discounts to each customer's purchasing history and preferences. This personalization aims to make the shopping trip more relevant, efficient, and affordable, directly impacting the bottom line for shoppers. This strategy positions Strack & Van Til as an innovative independent grocer, rivaling the advanced loyalty programs of national chains.

Seamless Omnichannel Shopping and Delivery

The chain understands that convenience is paramount. Their full-service model now extends seamlessly into the digital realm, offering multiple ways to shop.

• Online Ordering: Customers can browse and order groceries online, taking advantage of the new digital circulars.
• Delivery Services: Strack & Van Til partners with third-party platforms like DoorDash to provide convenient grocery delivery right to the customer's home.
• Weekly Ads and Special Offers: The company actively encourages sign-ups for their email list to receive the latest weekly ads, special offers, and information on upcoming events, ensuring customers are always informed about the best deals.

This omnichannel approach—combining a superior in-store experience with modern digital and delivery options—is a powerful competitive edge in the Northwest Indiana market.

Commitment to Community and Freshness

The core values of Strack & Van Til have always centered on community connection and the quality of their fresh food. This focus remains a cornerstone of their brand identity and a major differentiator from big-box stores. The emphasis on high-quality departments—including their expansive bakery, high-grade meat, and fresh seafood—is a testament to their full-service commitment. During the holiday seasons, such as Thanksgiving in November 2025, the chain actively promotes its role as a "one-stop gobble shop," providing everything families need for celebratory feasts, often focusing on making the process both easy and affordable. This local focus on seasonal needs and community events reinforces the store's deep ties to its customer base. Furthermore, the company's relationship with its employees is also a point of stability, as evidenced by the ratification of a new three-year contract with its unionized workforce, ensuring a stable and experienced team continues to serve the customer base. In summary, Strack & Van Til is not just surviving; it is thriving by strategically blending its cherished family history and commitment to fresh, high-quality products with aggressive, modern investments in technology and physical infrastructure. This dual strategy—honoring the past while embracing the future—is the key reason why it remains a beloved and powerful force in the Northwest Indiana grocery landscape.