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
Floyd Weatherspoon
April 4, 2021 at 7:45amI seem to remember a store on West third near abbey called Jacks pay n take. didn’t see it in here. It was in the 60’s I think where Gershows was. Help!!!!
Heather
April 30, 2023 at 12:30amMy grandpa owned the Foodtown on S. Dixie in Kettering! Robert Stragand. Great man!