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Stockton CA

Overview

Stockton, located between Sacramento and Fresno, is one of the largest cities in California's Central Valley, and has for years been a prosperous port and retailing center.

Over the past 75 years, Stockton has been home to numerous national, regional, and local chain grocers. It was an early home to Safeway and Piggly Wiggly, and later housed some of Albertsons eariler California operations. Lucky Stores operated in Stockton, as did Fry's and Alpha-Beta.

Locally, Stockton was the birthplace of Centromart and a local chain callled Save-Mart (not the same chain found in Modesto, Fresno, and San Jose), and was also home to Gaines, Don Quick, and Black's. The bigger Save-Mart chain also expanded into Stockton in the 1970s, first using the Food Bank banner and currently operating as S-Mart, and has become the largest grocer in Stockton after purchasing abandoned stores from Lucky, Fry's, and Albertsons.

At some point, I would like to write a more comprehensive history of Stockton. For now, please check out the following:

More Information

Address list of Stockton chain grocers, 1920-1990.

Stockton photo gallery.

Safeway News article on the grand opening of a Piggly Wiggly in Stockton.