Comments for Groceteria.com | Supermarket History

Comment on Vintage Greensboro Grocery Ads by Groceteria

Groceteria — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:33:18 +0000

Actually, the Big Bear chain you’re thinking of is not related to the ones in the ad. There were at least four different Big Bear chains in the US, none of them related to each other in any way other than by having the same name: the Ohio chain (the one you’re thinking of), a chain of stores in North Carolina (the one this post discusses), one in Seattle, and one in San Diego.

It was one of those common names that never got trademarked nationwide, so it was used by many different operations in different parts of the country. In fact, the NC chain changed its name to Food World in the 1970s, and I suspect they did so because they had visions (that never materialized) of moving northward into the area served by the Ohio chain.

Comment on Vintage Greensboro Grocery Ads by John Sposato

John Sposato — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:16:31 +0000

Big Bear’s the closest thing to a store in my area on this site, as it was bought out by Penn Traffic, which also owned P&C, Bi-Lo/Riverside, and Quality until just weeks ago. Big Bear closed in 2004.
We also used to have A&P in the days of yore. In the old days, up to 10 chains could be in any given region. Now just a handful, while in some small communities, you’re lucky to have the one.

Comment on Safeway UK by Mark Edward Manning

Mark Edward Manning — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:25:35 +0000

Wow, a London-area Safeways. Too cool. The outside is not that far removed from today’s UK supermarket design, and the inside shots are pretty much what I remember American supermarkets being like in the ’70s / early ’80s.

Too bad Safeway no longer exists in the UK. One of our local supermarkets used to be a Safeway until 1998 — now it’s a Sainsbury’s. I wish I could remember what the Safeway looked like before it changed hands and got re-modelled, but alas, I didn’t pay attention to supermarkets back then they way I do now.

Comment on Almost There… by Mark Edward Manning

Mark Edward Manning — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:20:16 +0000

Oh, that looks like an adorable place. I like the cafe counter, too bad those are missing from supermarkets these days, but then we’re living in the age of the coffee shop … (But I do remember when Zayre had cafes!)

Too bad I missed the “golden age” of supermarkets — they had such character back then.

Comment on A&P, Cheswick PA by apteafan

apteafan — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:03:00 +0000

Acme had several Pittsburgh area locations. The one I remember well anchored the far end of North Hills Village shopping center in Ross Twp. That later became a Marshalls and now a ShopNSave.

Comment on Winn-Dixie, Amity Gardens, Charlotte NC by Groceteria

Groceteria — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:35:12 +0000

Note: Groceteria is a site about supermarket HISTORY. Further comments that do not relate specifically to the HISTORY of this store or center will not be approved. Thanks.

Comment on Winn-Dixie, Amity Gardens, Charlotte NC by Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:03:25 +0000

I am a home owner in the neighborhood directly beind the old shopping center, and unlike “CC” still live there. Yes it has been a shame to see it decline to nothing over the years but I am excited to hear talks of a super Wal-Mart to move in and revitalize the neighborhood. We need this tremendously. People things change, Charlotte is growing into a city. Yes Wal-Mart will bring traffic (something southerners dispise) but it will also bring jobs, shopping, millions in tax dollars, and advertisement for a forgotten neighborhood. This will help property values. I hope that they due tear down the awful eye soar and breath life into an almost dead area. Please Wal-Mart come and help my community.

Comment on Winston-Salem History by » Winston-Salem Town History MainStreet, NC

» Winston-Salem Town History MainStreet, NC — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:32:06 +0000

[...] Gwynn, David Groceteria.com. Groceteria.com, 2010. Web. 3 Feb. 2010 . [...]

Comment on Safeway by Cheyenne’s retro Safeway goes terminal « Restless West Journal

Cheyenne’s retro Safeway goes terminal « Restless West Journal — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:33:36 +0000

[...] For a ridiculously in-depth history of the architecture of Safeway and other grocery stores, check out Groceteria.com. [...]

Comment on Winn-Dixie, Amity Gardens, Charlotte NC by CC

CC — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:51:48 +0000

I grew up in the neighboorhood that most supported the shopping center. Really hate to see it go & all the traffic from a Wal-mart start. The area has been subjected to so much change, as has the rest of the city. Charlotte is notirious for destroying its history. Maybe someday Charlotte will see how important its history was and have many regrets.

Many homeowners in the neighborhood are original owners, its still a good neighborhood, lets hope Wal-Mart doesn’t destroy another section.