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