Mayne, 68, is the CEO of Dorothy Lane Market, which has three locations, including the newest in Springboro. The family business began in 1948, when his father, Calvin Mayne, and partner Frank Sakada, sold quality fruits and vegetables at the corner of Fair Hills Avenue and Dorothy Lane.
Bonaminio, 63, known as Jungle Jim, or simply “Jungle” to Mayne, began selling produce at a stand in the parking lot on the corner of Erie and High Street in Hamilton. He later moved the operation to Symmes Road and Ohio 4 in Fairfield, where he purchased the land, and Jungle Jim’s International Market was born. A second location was added last year in Clermont County.
Mayne said he and Bonaminio are not competitors and talk frequently.
“I will refer people to his store if we don’t have what they want,” Mayne said.
Bonaminio used the word “fringe” when asked if Dorothy Lane Market was one of his competitors.
“I respect all small businesses and want them to succeed. We help each other out,” he said, noting he and Mayne are working their “behinds off” daily to make sure they stand up to competition from the “big boys.”
Bonaminio said he and Mayne share the same foundation in their stores, “but he niched his one way, and I niched mine a little different.”
Mayne’s stores are pretty and laid back. Jungle Jim’s stores are colorful and full of fascinating items and animation collected by Bonaminio himself.
“Jungle” also loves outfits and has been known to show up in the stores wearing a wizard suit.
“I just want to have a little bit of fun,” Bonaminio said.
Both know shopping for groceries is not the most favorite or exciting activity for a person or family, so making it a good experience is part of their strategy.
“I want to make the time in our store the best it can be,” Mayne said. That means quality products and the best service from the deli counter to the floral shop to the baggers who ask if you want paper or plastic.
Samples are readily available, and during certain hours, shoppers can also taste wines in the large wine and beer section.
“We may have the best service and the best quality,” Mayne said. “But we will never be the cheapest.”
Mayne said service is expensive, but well worth the investment.
“I could not do it without all the people here,” Mayne said.
Bonaminio just opened a bar in his extensive wine and beer section, where 16 beers and several brands of wine are available for sampling. Shoppers can take home a jug or bottle of their favorite.
“This is the hottest thing going,” Bonaminio said.
Making grocery shopping enjoyable is also Jungle Jim’s goal.
“If I can make it interesting — whether it be the animations, selection of beer, or service — that is what I want to do,” Bonaminio said. “We have taken a negative experience and turned it into a family experience with something for everyone. How cool is that?”
Steve Horvath and his twin 8-year-old sons, Will and Owen, of Cleves, were shopping the “Spice Isle” at the store Thursday morning.
“We come here a couple times a month because of the variety,” Horvath said. He added they often purchase some of the specials at the front of the store. The twins gave an enthusiastic nod of approval when asked if shopping at Jungle Jim’s was more fun than their local supermarket.
Tom Sweeney, of Middletown, also shops Jungle Jim’s several times a month, sometimes with his daughters, Nikky and Shellby.
“It makes you feel like you are out of town. A real experience,” Sweeney said. He, too, has shopped at Dorothy Lane’s Springboro location, which he also described as an experience.
“They are different,” Sweeney said. He added both offer more interesting shopping than the average grocery chain.
Both store owners continue to work daily, playing an active role from talking to customers to making sure everything is “right.” Both have children involved in their businesses.
Bonaminio said independent markets like his and Mayne’s are the incubators of the industry.
“We try it out, then they steal it,” he said, noting reinvention is important.
“I tend to shoot from the hip. It usually works,” he said with a laugh.
Mayne said even with a business that has grown to three successful stores, he is not satisfied or ready to prop up his feet.
“We can always do more,” Mayne said.
Both men were cagey about any future plans.
It’s a competitive market, they said, when declining comment.
But Mayne said his shoppers are not likely to see him in a wizard suit anytime soon.
“I’ll leave that to my buddy Jungle,” Mayne said. “He does it well.”
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