Last updated on 3 May 2025.
Modesto is known for being the place where much of the location filming for “American Graffiti” was done. It is also the hometown of Save-Mart Supermarkets and has been served by many large chains (Safeway, Lucky, Purity, Alpha Beta, Piggly Wiggly) as well as smaller ones (New Deal, Justesen’s) and independents. Nearby Turlock also has an interesting retail history.
This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Modesto, Turlock, and the surrounding area between 1925 and 1985, compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. There may be some omissions due to incomplete or missing data, etc. and I welcome suggestions and corrections.
Please read about my methodology for more information about what I do and do not include.
Notes
- Oakdale street names and addresses have changed so much that I was unable to match all addresses.
- Some of the really Save-Mart Stores operated as Super Save. I assume this banner was always owned by Save-Mart but I am not certain.
- I’m also not certain in the Los Angeles Market ever operated independently of Save-Mart.
- Turlock listings from 1970 are actually from 1968, and listings from 1985 are actually from 1982. That’s as close as I could get with available data.
Location list
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- 2947 4th St, Ceres | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Red & White
- 1805 Richland Av, Ceres | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Richland
- 2515 E Whitmore Av, Ceres | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Richland
- 1970: Richland
- 1974: Richland
- 1980: Richland
- 1985: Richland
- 2916 E Whitmore Av, Ceres | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Save-Mart
- 1101 5th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Quality Food Stores
- 1122 6th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Reynolds
- 1130 6th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Reynolds
- 927 N 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Martha Washington Stores
- 714 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Purity
- 1017 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Purity
- 1101 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 1946: Safeway
- 1103 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Piggly Wiggly
- 1930: MacMarr
- 1935: Piggly Wiggly
- 1217 10th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Lucky
- 1954: Lucky
- 1960: Lucky
- 819 11th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Piggly Wiggly
- 1930: MacMarr
- 1935: Piggly Wiggly
- Notes: 817 (1935).
- 916 11th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- 402 14th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Vine & Co
- 1930: Vine & Co
- 1940: Heckendorff
- 1946: Heckendorff
- 1950: Heckendorff
- 1954: New Deal
- 406 14th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: New Deal
- 1965: New Deal
- 1970: New Deal
- 1974: New Deal
- 1980: New Deal
- 631 15th St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Liberty
- 1960: Liberty
- 1965: Liberty
- 1101 F St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Quality Food Stores
- 3 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Friedrich
- 315 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 1946: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1954: Safeway
- 501 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: MacMarr
- 503 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Quality Food Stores
- 601 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- 1308 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 1946: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1506 H St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Reynolds
- 1940: Reynolds
- 701 I St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Mellis Bros
- 1940: Mellis Bros
- 1946: Mellis Bros
- 1950: Mellis Bros
- 1954: Mellis Bros
- 1011 I St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Purity
- 1015 I St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Mellis Bros
- 1412 J St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Justesen’s
- 1950: Justesen’s
- 1954: Justesen’s
- 1960: Justesen’s
- 1965: Justesen’s
- 1604 J St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 1610 J St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: MacMarr
- 1935: Piggly Wiggly
- 1616 J St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- 1406 Ardmore Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Angelo’s
- 1965: Angelo’s
- 1970: Angelo’s
- 1974: Angelo’s
- 1000 Beverly Dr, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Bell-Mart
- 1974: Bell-Mart
- 1980: Bell-Mart
- 1985: Bell-Mart
- 1125 Boulder Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: J&T
- 2020 W Briggsmore Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: New Deal
- 1985: New Deal
- 120 N Broadway, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 129 S Broadway, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: National Market
- 1970: National Market
- 1200 E Canal Dr, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Brown’s
- 1100 Carver Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Giant Food King
- 1974: Sam’s Food City
- 1980: Sam’s Food City
- 1985: Sam’s Food City
- 937 Coffee Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Shop N’ Kart
- 1970: Town & Country
- 1974: Town & Country
- 1980: Coffee Super Market
- 1985: Coffee Super Market
- 1421 Coffee Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Alpha Beta
- 1980: Alpha Beta
- 1985: Richland
- 2400 Coffee Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 1980: Save-Mart
- 1985: Save-Mart
- 3500 Coffee Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Alpha Beta
- 1985: Richland
- 2110 College Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Shop N’ Kart
- 1965: Shop N’ Kart
- 1349 Crows Landing Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Jumbo
- 1970: Jumbo
- 1974: Jumbo
- 1980: New Deal
- 1985: New Deal
- 1409 Crows Landing Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Save-Mart
- 1960: Save-Mart
- 1612 Crows Landing Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 1980: Save-Mart
- 1985: Save-Mart
- 1627 Crows Landing Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Los Angeles Market
- 1960: Save-Mart (Los Angeles Market)
- 1965: Save-Mart (Los Angeles Market)
- 1970: Save-Mart (Los Angeles Market)
- 1705 Crows Landing Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: New Deal
- 1970: New Deal
- 1974: New Deal
- 1980: New Deal
- 1985: New Deal
- 2001 Downey St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Vine & Co
- 1930: Vine & Co
- 1946: Friedrich
- 2595 Geer Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Lucky
- 1354 E Hatch Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Lucky
- 1980: Lucky
- 1985: Lucky
- 900 Hatch Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: J&T
- 402 High St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Quality Food Stores
- 1950: Gerow
- 619 Kansas Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Canned Food
- 319 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Mellis Bros
- 1946: Mellis Bros
- 1950: Mellis Bros
- 1954: Mellis Bros
- 1960: Mellis Bros
- 326 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Safeway
- 334 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1340 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- 1700 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Lucky
- 1960: Lucky
- 1965: Lucky
- 1970: Lucky
- 1974: Lucky
- 1980: Lucky
- 1985: New Deal
- Notes: 3 McHenry Village (1970).
- 2001 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Safeway
- 1974: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 2205 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Albertsons
- 1974: Albertsons
- 1980: Angelo’s
- 1985: Angelo’s
- 3848 McHenry Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: New Deal
- 1985: Food 4 Less
- 501 E Morris Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Bell-Mart
- 1974: Bell-Mart
- 1980: Bell-Mart
- 832 Oakdale Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Angelo’s
- 1974: Angelo’s
- 1980: Angelo’s
- 1985: Angelo’s
- 1717 Oakdale Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Lucky
- 2401 E Orangeburg Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Raley’s
- 1985: Raley’s
- Notes: Century City Plaza.
- 415 Paradise Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Save-Mart
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 1985: Save-Mart
- 448 Paradise Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1974: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: New Deal
- 613 Paradise Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Save-Mart
- 1965: Save-Mart
- Notes: Listed as Super Save in 1965.
- 1800 Prescott Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Alpha Beta
- 1980: Alpha Beta
- 839 W Roseburg St, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Save-Mart
- 1970: Save-Mart
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 1980: Save-Mart
- 1985: Save-Mart
- 121 N Santa Cruz Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Safeway
- 1960: Safeway
- 1965: New Deal
- 1970: New Deal
- 1974: New Deal
- 1980: New Deal
- 1985: New Deal
- 102 S Santa Cruz Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Shop N’ Kart
- 1965: Shop N’ Kart
- 1301 Scenic Dr, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Gerow
- 133 S Sierra Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Raley Bros
- 1965: Cloverleaf
- Notes: Pribably not related to Raley’s chain.
- 2601 Sierra Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Vierra
- 1946: Modern Foods
- 2900 Standiford Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Lucky
- 651 Sutter Av, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1970: National Market
- 1974: National Market
- 1980: National Market
- 1985: National Market
- 501 Sycamore, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Quality Food Stores
- 1946: Quality Food Stores
- 1950: Quality Food Store
- 1954: Quality Food Store
- 1960: Quality Food Store
- 1965: Quality Food Store
- 1970: Quality Food Store
- 1974: Quality Food Store
- 1562 Tully Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Bell’s
- 2051 Tully Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Save-Mart
- 1965: Save-Mart
- 1970: Save-Mart
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 1980: Save-Mart
- 1985: Save-Mart
- Notes: Tully at Bowen (pre-1985).
- 3430 Tully Rd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Raley’s
- 1985: Raley’s
- 219 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Vierra
- 1946: Modern Foods
- Notes: Was Waterford Rd
- 1239 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Rancho
- 1954: Rancho
- 1960: Rancho
- 1965: Rancho
- 1400 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Safeway
- 1600 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Save-Mart
- 1965: Save-Mart
- 1970: Save-Mart
- 1974: Save-Mart
- 2053 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Super Save
- 1960: Save-Mart
- 1965: Save-Mart
- Notes: Also listed as Super Save (1960, 1965).
- 2101 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Cannery Foods
- Notes: Canned Foods?
- 1262 Main St, Newman | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Safeway
- 1940: Safeway
- 1946: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- Notes: Was 100 N. O St.
- 1345 Main St, Newman | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Justesen’s
- 1940: Justesen’s
- Notes: Was 1 S. O St.
- 1403 Main St, Newman | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Justesen’s
- 120 California Av, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1974: Safeway
- 150 California Av, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Gong’s
- 1985: Gong’s
- 120 E F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Purity
- 1954: Purity
- 1960: Purity
- 431 E F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Red & White
- 1960: Red & White
- 1965: Red & White
- 1970: Red & White
- 1005 E F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Town & Country
- 1974: Town & Country
- 1980: Town & Country
- 1985: Town & Country
- 1275 E F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Don Quick
- 1980: Don Quick
- 619 F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Safeway
- 629 F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 812 F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Piggly Wiggly
- 1946: Purity
- F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Piggly Wiggly
- Notes: F near 2nd Av (1930).
- F St, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- Notes: F at 3rd (1930).
- 888 Yosemite Av, Oakdale | Google Maps Link
- 1985: New Deal
- 200 N 2nd St, Patterson | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Liberty
- 35 Del Puerto Av, Patterson | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Safeway
- 1954: S&M Foods
- 1960: S&M Foods
- 1965: S&M Foods
- 475 7th St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Liberty
- 1970: Liberty
- Notes: Same as 710 Lander.
- 127 N Broadway St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1946: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1954: Safeway
- 701 N Broadway St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Broadway
- 1980: Broadway
- 2080 E Canal Dr, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Richland
- 1974: Richland
- 1980: Richland
- 126 N Center St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Purity
- 1946: Purity
- 1950: Purity
- 1954: Purity
- 1960: Purity
- 1965: Purity
- 1970: Purity
- 1974: Purity
- 1980: Purity
- 1985: Purity
- Notes: 124 (1940).
- 1290 East Av, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1954: National Market
- 1960: National Market
- 1965: National Market
- 1970: National Market
- 1974: National Market
- 1980: National Market
- 1985: National Market
- 3100 Geer Rd, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Liberty
- 1970: Liberty
- 1974: Liberty
- 1980: Liberty
- 700 N Golden State Blvd, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- 710 Lander Av, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Liberty
- 1960: Liberty
- 1965: Liberty
- 1970: Liberty
- 1974: Liberty
- 1980: Liberty
- 1985: Liberty
- Notes: Same as 475 7th.
- 1039 Lander Av, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Brown’s
- 1985: Liberty
- 202 E Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Purity
- 231 E Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Safeway
- 322 E Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Pacific Coast
- 1935: Justesen’s
- 1940: Justesen’s
- 1946: Justesen’s
- 108 W Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Piggly Wiggly
- 145 W Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Safeway
- 1940: Safeway
- 255 W Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Safeway
- 1974: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 700 W Main St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Pope’s
- 327 S Thor St, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Van’s
- Notes: May not be related to chain.
- 735 Wayside Dr, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Pope’s
- 1985: Pope’s
- 585 S West Av, Turlock | Google Maps Link
- 1974: Broadway