Few businesses last a decade, let alone nearly a century. And yet, Topicz (Cincinnati’s family-run distribution powerhouse) has done just that by mastering the art of adapting to change.
Founded in 1926 by Augie Topicz, the company became part of the Schwartz family legacy in 1983 when the late Marvin Schwartz took over. In 1992, Schwartz moved the company from its original warehouse on West McMicken to its current home in Amberley Village.
Today, Marvin’s grandson, Adam Greenberg, runs the company. Greenberg took over in 2019. Under his leadership, Topicz was ranked 31st on Deloitte’s 100 privately held companies list.
Operating across Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana, Topicz supplies more than 1,000 convenience stores with products that shape everyday life. Its 130,000-square-foot warehouse in Amberley Village is more than a logistics hub—it’s a living museum of consumer trends, from candy bars to cigarettes. Carefully curated displays tell the story of a century of evolution in convenience store culture, blending nostalgia with innovation.
A Chicago native, Greenberg quickly found his footing in Cincinnati, thanks to his grandmother playing Jewish “networking” matchmaker by setting up a breakfast date with Josh Rothstein at the JCC in 2012. The rest, as they say, is history.
The following Q&A dives into Greenberg’s professional and personal journey, the company’s evolution, and what’s next for this under-the-radar yet iconic Cincinnati institution.
Q&A
What was it like transitioning from working under your grandpa to assuming the role of president of the company?
It was a unique opportunity to have a personal & professional relationship with my grandfather, working with and learning from him.
He taught me everything, from picking orders, cold-calling customers, and giving me the key resources to lead. It wasn’t like I jumped off a cliff. I’d been waiting for this to happen. So it was more of a natural progression, taking more and more things over – this project, or accounting, or signing off on legal documents.
Define “success” for you (as a leader).
If I’m giving my team all the right resources, tools, and leadership exposure to carry out their tasks, I’ve done my job as a leader.
I have to learn everyone’s job first. That way, I can speak on the subject matter, good or bad. And then, obviously, learning from experience, failing multiple times to be successful.
And how about success for Topicz (as a company)?
It’s our ability to be nimble and innovate. The fact that we are small and have strong leadership in place allows us to pivot pretty quickly on customer demand or industry demand when we’re trying new things.
How has the industry changed?
One of the biggest changes in the convenience store industry is consumer purchasing/shipping expectations being negatively affected by Amazon and COVID. Consumers want their product cheaper, and they want it yesterday.
The demand has increased. And there’s not enough supply, so it’s created a unique opportunity for us, due to our exclusive relationships with manufacturers. It’s helped business in certain ways, and it’s also made it more difficult.
What’s your response to the changing demands?
During the pandemic, we started a global e-commerce company called “Shop The King” paying homage to “Slam Bam The Candy Man.”
(Note: “Slam Bam The Candy Man” is the mail-order candy store Greenberg’s grandpa started in the ‘90s but could never quite get off the ground.)
Manufacturers don’t need a legacy distributor when they can just go directly to the end-user or retail store.
The customer can buy online directly, which makes the distributor (that is Topicz) kind of obsolete. I was forced to pivot and create a new platform based on growing consumer needs.
How have Jewish values shaped your approach to leadership and running the business?
They give me confidence, level-headedness, and direction on how to prioritize what’s important. In 2014, I participated in Cincinnati’s first supported birthright trip to Israel. Following that trip, I felt a sense of excitement, responsibility, and strength as a rising Jewish leader in the community.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Not being on time. I’m punctual to a fault, sometimes obnoxiously so. Also, I cannot stand paper/stuff everywhere.
If you had an alternate career path, what would it be?
Two things: Either an airline pilot or design and stage production for Broadway and film.
My grandfather was in the Air Force, and I was taking flight lessons before COVID, so that’s an homage to him.
My mother did theater throughout my childhood. She put me on stage building sets since I was five. I spent more time in my high school theater, designing the lights and special effects, than I did in class. That’s a passion of mine.
Fill in the blanks…
- The best book I’ve ever read is “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It” by Chris Voss.
- The apps I can’t live without are Shipstation (work) and iCal (personal).
- TV shows I’m watching right now are Yellowstone and The Perfect Couple.
- My favorite way to unwind after a long day is a round of golf or taking a walk with my dog Moe.
- One of my favorite podcasts is Acquired.
