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The 1950s

Previously...

Like most other large chains (and many independents), Safeway had moved from small neighborhood stores to larger supermarkets by the start of the 1950s. While many of the older, smaller stores remained in operation -- with many being remodeled and enlarged -- the trend was definitely toward a modern new prototype, a step between the semi-classical stores of the 1940s and the bold arches of the 1960s.

Safeway crossed the $2 billion national sales mark in 1957, with 1958 stores in operation. Robert Magowan succeeded Ling Warren as Safeway's president in 1955, much to the relief of many store managers who believed that 20 years was enough and that Warren's ideas were wearing thin.

This was the era of America's classic gleaming bright supermarket, with white walls, fluorescent lighting, and lots of glass. Large parking lots were becoming the rule. A side effect was that all supermarkets began to look a like. It takes a trained eye to distinguish between a 1950s Safeway, Lucky, or QFI store. All had the box shape with the rounded roof (often hidden) and many had great advertising pylons.

Safeway was no exception. Until the early 1990's, it was possible to find some of these stores relatively intact and still operating as Safeway. The picture on the front page of this site was taken in Lodi, California in 1993, and another store on Clement Street in California closed in 1995 and was recently demolished.

In San Francisco:

Safeway had 35 stores in San Francisco in 1951; 21 of these survived until 1960. In addition, 11 new locations opened during the period, leaving the total at 32 as the 1960s began.

Very few of these 1950s-era stores have survived in San Francisco, fewer than either the stores from the 1940s or the 1960s. Examples are easier to locate in the suburbs surrounding the city, where many still stand, occupied by thrift stores, churches, auto parts stores, and even the occasional chain pharmacy.

On to the 1960s...