This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Dayton between 1925 and 2015, 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:

• 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