Dave’s Markets Leader Burt Saltzman Dies at 88

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Burton “Burt” Saltzman, a longtime leader of Dave’s Markets whose family grocery business grew into a well-known supermarket chain across Greater Cleveland, died Jan. 13, 2026. He was 88. Saltzman’s death drew public tributes from local nonprofit organizations and community members who cited his support for hunger relief and other civic efforts. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank said Saltzman’s “unwavering support” helped touch “countless lives” and noted that a space at its Community Resource Center was recently named in his honor. “We remember Burt Saltzman of Dave's Supermarket not only as a brilliant businessman, but as a true gem of a human being,” the Food Bank wrote in a Facebook post. “His generosity, particularly his unwavering support of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and many other nonprofit organizations, touched countless lives and set an example of what it truly means to give back.” Hunger Network also posted condolences, calling Saltzman’s death a loss for the region. “Through his leadership at Dave's Supermarket, Burt shaped Greater Cleveland for decades by providing access to fresh food, supporting neighborhoods, and championing equity,” the organization wrote on Facebook. Saltzman was part of a multigenerational Cleveland grocery family whose business roots date to 1930, according to information shared in community posts and biographical notes included with an online obituary. Dave’s Markets began when Saltzman’s grandfather, Alex Saltzman, started a small produce wagon on Payne Avenue in Cleveland that later became a grocery store. The business was later led by Alex’s son, David Saltzman, the store’s namesake, before Burton Saltzman became a central leader in the next generation. Saltzman served for many years as chairman and was widely described as a key figure in the company’s expansion and long-term stewardship as a family-owned chain in Northeast Ohio. In later decades, the company’s leadership included Saltzman’s sons, Dan and Steve Saltzman, with other family members holding executive roles by the 2020s, according to the biographical notes provided. Public remembrances also highlighted personal acts of kindness and support for local institutions. John Skirtic, a local journalist, wrote that he remembered Saltzman’s kindness to his grandmother at the old Payne Avenue store and described Saltzman’s support for the Cleveland Public Library. “RIP Burt Saltzman. I will always remember your kindness to my grandmother at the old Payne Avenue store, your tireless work ethic, and the generosity you showed to the Cleveland Public Library,” Skirtic wrote. “No matter how many times I came to you, you always gave the Library a fair deal, knowing the food would serve the community. Your care and dedication to Cleveland will not be forgotten.” The Greater Cleveland Food Bank said Saltzman led “with kindness, humility, and purpose” and framed his legacy as lasting. “We are all better for having known him, and his legacy will continue to nourish and inspire our community for generations to come,” the Food Bank wrote. An online obituary for Saltzman was posted by Dignity Memorial. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.