Our Company

Don W. Karches

History - a family-owned business

Pharmacist Donald J. Karches established Merchandise Inc. in 1964, discounting over-the-counter and other drug store commodities long before such discounts were fashionable. This aggressive marketing strategy allowed Merchandise Inc. to immediately capture a large and loyal market share and facilitated its growth over the last four decades. Today, the founder’s son, Don W. Karches, runs this growing and well-respected company. He continues his father’s tradition, employing a family run business philosophy of personal service and quality products.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to be a first choice provider to retail and wholesale establishments, and to be respected for our consistent and accurate performance.

Values

Service - to our customers of the highest quality possible
Respect - for our employees, our customers, and our vendors
Empowerment - employees are encouraged to make a difference

Location

Merchandise Inc. is centrally located just west of Cincinnati in Miamitown, Ohio. Within miles of I-75, I-71, I-74, and I-275, Merchandise Inc. conveniently services customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia using our company fleet. Our location also gives us a competitive routing zone for all our national and international deliveries. For directions to our facility, please contact us.

Management Team

You can count on our Management Team to put their combined 180 years of experience to customize our services and products to meet your needs. Put their experience to work for you!

Donald W. Karches, President After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance, Don opened a very successful deep-discount drug outlet in Lawrenceburg, IN. He sold the business after 10 years of successful operation to return to MI as the President and Owner in 1996. Since then, as many other wholesalers disappear, Don has maintained MI as a leader in the industry. Adding Cosmetics and the Impulse program to the MI Marketing mix, are just two examples of his leadership and vision. Don and his wife live in Cincinnati, and have two sons and two daughters.

Greg Christopfel, National Sales Mgr. Greg has been with the company for over 26 years. While the business has changed much during this time, Greg's focus on addressing our customers' concerns has not. Keeping both our products and services relevant to the ever changing needs of our customers is the key to building the many long-term relationships we have enjoyed over the years. Greg finds that this is the most satisfying aspect of his many years with MI.

Beth Schwarb, HR Mgr. and Director of Cosmetics Beth Schwarb graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Business. She worked the family business as an HBC buyer for about 14 years. During "baby years," she worked part-time as a Payroll Specialist at MI and part-time Store Manager at the Drug Basket in Lawrenceburg, IN. She and her husband live in Northern Kentucky. They have a married daughter and a daughter in college. Beth enjoys watching the #1 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team!

Jim Powell, Director of General Mdse. Jim Powell came to Merchandise Inc. with 15 years of retail drug chain experience. He was the perfect man to purchase seasonal products for the ad program. Gradually, Jim developed the School/Office, Pet Supplies, and General Merchandise categories. Today, these categories are an integral part of operations at MI. Jim's work and loyalty, combined with his easy going personality, have made him irreplaceable. Jim lives in Cincinnati with his wife of 29 years, and two children.

Denise Glay, District Supervisor Denise has been with Merchandise Inc. since May, 2006. She has over 20 years of grocery and retail merchandising experience. As District Supervisor, she oversees our commitment to quality service of the MI Impulse Program as well as other categories for several retail chains in GA, SC, NC, and OH. Denise and her husband have two grown children, and live in the upstate area of South Carolina.

Laura Evans, District Supervisor Laura came to MI in 2007 with over 20 years of grocery merchandising experience. With her exceptional attention to detail, she quickly became Supervisor of the South Carolina territory. When that territory was re-aligned in 2011, Laura was the obvious choice to become the District Supervisor directly responsible for more than 39 stores. In her spare time, Laura stays busy with golf, pool, and church activities. She lives in South Carolina with her husband. Together they have 11 children, 26 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Terry Potts, Retail Service Manager Terry is responsible for the coordination of all resets, custom planogram designs, and implementation. Her 25 years of experience “in the field” have given her a unique ability in understanding the varied product categories and how best to utilize them to suit each customers’ needs. In her spare time, Terry enjoys playing golf or just sitting down to read a good book.

Nick Buchert, Accounting Department Manager MI is pleased to welcome back Nick after a few years away. Nick returns with an MBA degree from Northern Kentucky University to add to his BS in Accounting degree from the College of Mt. St. Joseph. He is also in the process of testing for his CPA license. Nick lives in Cincinnati. In addition to following March Madness, Nick enjoys playing softball and bowling.

Mary Baird, College Store Sales/Service Specialist In 2006, Mary joined the MI team with 25 years of sales/customer service experience. That really came in handy when MI ventured into the College Store market. Mary became the perfect liaison between the stores and MI. Everyone appreciates the energy and knowledge she brings to her work everyday. Mary really enjoys attending the Camex trade shows, and meeting her customers in person! She lives in Cincinnati with her husband of 32 years. She has 2 grown sons and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys reading great books in her spare time.

Mike Lockard, Warehouse Supervisor Mike began his career at the MI satellite location focused on the Impulse program. When that facility was moved to Miamitown, Mike came too and took over as Warehouse Manager. He really enjoys the fast paced days overseeing products come in and go out. Mike lives in Aurora, Indiana with his wife and 3 children. He enjoys sports of all sorts and his pets.



Our Company Our Customers Planograms Product Listing Vendor List College Stores Retailer News The MI Advantage What's New Contact Us	Our Company History - a family-owned business Pharmacist Donald J. Karches established Merchandise Inc. in 1964, discounting over-the-counter and other drug store commodities long before such discounts were fashionable. This aggressive marketing strategy allowed Merchandise Inc. to immediately capture a large and loyal market share and facilitated its growth over the last four decades. Today, the founder’s son, Don W. Karches, runs this growing and well-respected company. He continues his father’s tradition, employing a family run business philosophy of personal service and quality products. Mission Statement Our mission is to be a first choice provider to retail and wholesale establishments, and to be respected for our consistent and accurate performance. Values Service - to our customers of the highest quality possible Respect - for our employees, our customers, and our vendors Empowerment - employees are encouraged to make a difference Location Merchandise Inc. is centrally located just west of Cincinnati in Miamitown, Ohio. Within miles of I-75, I-71, I-74, and I-275, Merchandise Inc. conveniently services customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia using our company fleet. Our location also gives us a competitive routing zone for all our national and international deliveries. For directions to our facility, please contact us. Management Team You can count on our Management Team to put their combined 180 years of experience to customize our services and products to meet your needs. Put their experience to work for you! Donald W. Karches, President After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance, Don opened a very successful deep-discount drug outlet in Lawrenceburg, IN. He sold the business after 10 years of successful operation to return to MI as the President and Owner in 1996. Since then, as many other wholesalers disappear, Don has maintained MI as a leader in the industry. Adding Cosmetics and the Impulse program to the MI Marketing mix, are just two examples of his leadership and vision. Don and his wife live in Cincinnati, and have two sons and two daughters. Greg Christopfel, National Sales Mgr. Greg has been with the company for over 26 years. While the business has changed much during this time, Greg's focus on addressing our customers' concerns has not. Keeping both our products and services relevant to the ever changing needs of our customers is the key to building the many long-term relationships we have enjoyed over the years. Greg finds that this is the most satisfying aspect of his many years with MI. Beth Schwarb, HR Mgr. and Director of Cosmetics Beth Schwarb graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Business. She worked the family business as an HBC buyer for about 14 years. During "baby years," she worked part-time as a Payroll Specialist at MI and part-time Store Manager at the Drug Basket in Lawrenceburg, IN. She and her husband live in Northern Kentucky. They have a married daughter and a daughter in college. Beth enjoys watching the #1 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team! Jim Powell, Director of General Mdse. Jim Powell came to Merchandise Inc. with 15 years of retail drug chain experience. He was the perfect man to purchase seasonal products for the ad program. Gradually, Jim developed the School/Office, Pet Supplies, and General Merchandise categories. Today, these categories are an integral part of operations at MI. Jim's work and loyalty, combined with his easy going personality, have made him irreplaceable. Jim lives in Cincinnati with his wife of 29 years, and two children. Denise Glay, District Supervisor Denise has been with Merchandise Inc. since May, 2006. She has over 20 years of grocery and retail merchandising experience. As District Supervisor, she oversees our commitment to quality service of the MI Impulse Program as well as other categories for several retail chains in GA, SC, NC, and OH. Denise and her husband have two grown children, and live in the upstate area of South Carolina. Laura Evans, District Supervisor Laura came to MI in 2007 with over 20 years of grocery merchandising experience. With her exceptional attention to detail, she quickly became Supervisor of the South Carolina territory. When that territory was re-aligned in 2011, Laura was the obvious choice to become the District Supervisor directly responsible for more than 39 stores. In her spare time, Laura stays busy with golf, pool, and church activities. She lives in South Carolina with her husband. Together they have 11 children, 26 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Terry Potts, Retail Service Manager Terry is responsible for the coordination of all resets, custom planogram designs, and implementation. Her 25 years of experience “in the field” have given her a unique ability in understanding the varied product categories and how best to utilize them to suit each customers’ needs. In her spare time, Terry enjoys playing golf or just sitting down to read a good book. Nick Buchert, Accounting Department Manager MI is pleased to welcome back Nick after a few years away. Nick returns with an MBA degree from Northern Kentucky University to add to his BS in Accounting degree from the College of Mt. St. Joseph. He is also in the process of testing for his CPA license. Nick lives in Cincinnati. In addition to following March Madness, Nick enjoys playing softball and bowling. Mary Baird, College Store Sales/Service Specialist In 2006, Mary joined the MI team with 25 years of sales/customer service experience. That really came in handy when MI ventured into the College Store market. Mary became the perfect liaison between the stores and MI. Everyone appreciates the energy and knowledge she brings to her work everyday. Mary really enjoys attending the Camex trade shows, and meeting her customers in person! She lives in Cincinnati with her husband of 32 years. She has 2 grown sons and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys reading great books in her spare time. Mike Lockard, Warehouse Supervisor Mike began his career at the MI satellite location focused on the Impulse program. When that facility was moved to Miamitown, Mike came too and took over as Warehouse Manager. He really enjoys the fast paced days overseeing products come in and go out. Mike lives in Aurora, Indiana with his wife and 3 children. He enjoys sports of all sorts and his pets.