
Larry Darrenkamp, owner of Darrenkamp’s Markets, shared his experience as an entrepreneur with business students at Elizabethtown College last month during the M&M Mars Lecture series.
From left, Mike Mitchell, executive director of the S. Dale High Center for Family Business; Gary Lauer, PFMA; and Joe, Larry and Dave Darrenkamp.
The Darrenkamp family operates four supermarkets in Willow Valley, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown and Etters, Pennsylvania. Their great grandfather Henry Darrenkamp started in the food business selling produce door-to-door more than 70 years ago. His son George expanded the business in 1932 when he opened a general store in a room at the front of his home on Union Street in Lancaster, Pa. His sons Dick and Jerry joined the family business and in 1948 they opened a 3,000 square foot store next to the home on Union Street. After Dick retired in 1978, Jerry’s oldest son, Larry Darrenkamp, joined the business after a tour in the U.S. Navy. Larry Darrenkamp continued his uncle’s dedication to offer only the freshest custom cut meats, which continues today.
From left, Mike Mitchell, executive director of the S. Dale High Center for Family Business; Gary Lauer, PFMA; and Joe, Larry and Dave Darrenkamp.
The Darrenkamp family operates four supermarkets in Willow Valley, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown and Etters, Pennsylvania. Their great grandfather Henry Darrenkamp started in the food business selling produce door-to-door more than 70 years ago. His son George expanded the business in 1932 when he opened a general store in a room at the front of his home on Union Street in Lancaster, Pa. His sons Dick and Jerry joined the family business and in 1948 they opened a 3,000 square foot store next to the home on Union Street. After Dick retired in 1978, Jerry’s oldest son, Larry Darrenkamp, joined the business after a tour in the U.S. Navy. Larry Darrenkamp continued his uncle’s dedication to offer only the freshest custom cut meats, which continues today.