Toto Fabrics, Family Founders

Since 1951, the Marks family has done business in Toto, Indiana. Beginning from one store, Jack and Alma Marks built several stores in the heart of Toto. Their son, Sidney, continued to expand the business in the 1970s and 1980s, selling shoes, clothing, draperies, and records, as well as, of course, fabrics. In the face of the changing business environment and the increased competition of large box stores, Sidney reluctantly closed the bricks and mortar stores in the early 2000s. After trying several experiments, in 2008 he started newtotostores.com and began selling discount upholstery, drapery, and home décor fabrics. Since his death in 2010, his wife, Joan, a retired teacher, and his son, Elliot, have worked with the staff in Toto, Indiana, to maintain the quality standard of the family business set by Sidney. New Toto Stores is now Toto Fabrics, a leading source of discount décor fabrics online.