This is a list of all known chain grocery addresses in Anchorage between 1948 and 2018, compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. This list is generated through a live Google Spreadsheet so it reflects the latest information I have.
View and download a copy of this location spreadsheet via Google Sheets.
Notes:
- Following the Carrs/Safeway merger in 1999, stores were listed under a variety of names (Carrs, Safeway, and Carrs Safeway) and sometimes under multiple names.
- There were apparently some Piggly Wiggly locations in the 1960s, but I can find no listings in the city directories for them.
Store tags:
- Carrs
- Fred Meyer
- New Sagaya
- Piggly Wiggly (not reflected in list)
- Safeway
Lynda Kvasnikoff
September 9, 2020 at 9:31amThere was a Piggly Wiggly in Anchorage (Spenard) in 1964. My husband, 6 month old son and I were in it when the March 27th earthquake hit!!!
Cherie Snyder
July 18, 2023 at 4:42pmYou don’t have accurate information. The grocery store you have listed as Bi-Lo was S&F Foodland owned by Jack Snyder. He had 3 in anchorage as well as Fairbanks, kenai peninsula
Groceteria
July 18, 2023 at 8:08pmIf you’ll look at my methodology section above, you’ll see that I rely on city directories, newspapers, and other sources, and that I do this research on my own time and at my own expense and make it freely available for no compensation at all. I want the details to be correct and I appreciate POLITE and CORDIAL requests for corrections. If you can give me the SPECIFIC location ADDRESSES and YEARS you are concerned with, I’ll see what I can do about an update. Currently, the stores are listed as they appeared in the Anchorage city directory. As is the case for many of the 300 or so cities on the site, I’ve never set foot in Anchorage so it’s not like I’m trying to do this from memory.
That said, maybe you don’t realize how you sound when you start a comment by launching with “you don’t have accurate information” as if I have failed your final exam. It’s kind of a drag when people forget there’s an actual human being rather than a machine at the other end, and it sometimes makes me wonder why I bother. But fortunately most people aren’t like that. They recognize and acknowledge the work involved before snapping out a criticism.
Anyway, have a delightful day.
Daniel Herring
September 11, 2023 at 12:47amI didn’t see the Prairie Market listed. In the building on Old Seward and Telephone Ave where the Goodwill is today. I think it was Mt. View Sports for some time in between. Anyway, it was a ‘wholesale’ type store that sold things directly out of the crates, and in larger quantities than Carr’s and Safeway, and also a bit cheaper.
Groceteria
September 11, 2023 at 8:01amThanks for the pointer. If I can determine if it was actually a chain and when it was open, I’ll work on getting it added!
Groceteria
September 11, 2023 at 8:26amFor the record, it was a chain (it was owned by Carrs) so I will get it added ASAP. Thanks again.