Dayton Chain Grocery/Supermarket Locations, 1925-2015

This is a list of all known chain grocery addresses in Dayton between 1925 and 2015, compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. It is generated through a live Google Spreadsheet so it reflects the latest information I have.

Notes:

  • The Schear family were the owners of Liberal Markets (which were established and based in Dayton) as well as those branded under the family name.
  • Colonial Stores appears to have tested the Big Star discount concept quite early with its Albers stores in Dayton; the first Big Star stores had already appeared by 1965.
  • Foodtown and Imperial Foodtown seem to have been franchises or co-ops, and were probably related (or even the same program) but I cannot tell for sure at this point.
  • Lofino’s (which started as a Foodtown member) later came to operate the Cub Foods locations in Dayton. Lofino’s itself went out of business in 2015.
  • The suburban locations for 1995 actually come from the 1993 and 1998 directories.
  • A really large part of Dayton’s retail built environment has been bulldozed as the city depopulates.
  • More analysis will follow.

View and download a copy of this location spreadsheet via Google Sheets.

Store tags:

  • A&P
  • Cub Foods
  • Fazio’s
  • Gershow’s
  • Imperial Foodtown
  • Kroger
  • Liberal/Schear’s
  • Meijer
  • Piggly Wiggly
  • Stump’s
Updated on 26 November 2022

One thought on “Dayton Chain Grocery/Supermarket Locations, 1925-2015

  1. Floyd Weatherspoon

    April 4, 2021 at 7:45am

    I seem to remember a store on West third near abbey called Jacks pay n take. didn’t see it in here. It was in the 60’s I think where Gershows was. Help!!!!

    Permalink  ⋅ Reply
  2. Heather

    April 30, 2023 at 12:30am

    My grandpa owned the Foodtown on S. Dixie in Kettering! Robert Stragand. Great man!

    Permalink  ⋅ Reply

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