Portsmouth Chain Grocery/Supermarket Locations, 1925-2015

This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Portsmouth between 1925 and 2000, 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

• Some locations from 1951 (mainly HN stores), 1960 (mainly Overton’s), and 2000 (mainly Farm Fresh) may be missing. All locations missing for 1955, but these may be added soon.

Location list

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• 55 Afton Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1970: Earle’s Market
• 1975: Earle’s Market
• 1980: Earle’s Market
• 57 Afton Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Overton’s
• 2550 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Giant Open Air Market
• 1965: Giant Open Air Market
• 1970: Giant Open Air Market
• 1975: Giant Open Air Market
• 1980: Giant Open Air Market
• 1985: Giant Open Air Market
• 1990: Farm Fresh
• 1995: Farm Fresh
• 2000: Farm Fresh
• 2887 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: Zayre Food
• 1970: Zayre Food
• Notes: Westgate Plaza SC, open 1963 per guide. Zayre Foods may have been operated by Colonial.
• 3100 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1975: Big Star
• 1980: Big Star
• 1985: Food Lion
• 1990: Food Lion
• 1995: Food Lion
• 2000: Food Lion
• 3545 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1980: A&P
• 1985: A&P
• 1990: Super Fresh
• 1995: Super Fresh
• 2015: Food Lion
• Notes: 3539 (2015).
• 342 Broad St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: Piggly Wiggly
• 1930: Piggly Wiggly
• Notes: 340 in 1930.
• 400 Broad St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender?
• 1951: Colonial
• 540 Centre St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: Edward L Bowen
• 1935: Eddie L Bowen
• 1900 Charleston Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 508 Chestnut St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 612 Chestnut St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 834 Chestnut St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: DP Stores
• 5760 Churchland Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Colonial
• 1970: Colonial
• 1975: Big Star
• 1980: Big Star
• 1995: Food Lion
• 2000: Food Lion
• 2015: Food Lion
• Notes: Was 2320 Churchland/Western Branch. 5740 (1975-1980). 5734 (1995 on).
• 5844 Churchland Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1970: Giant Open Air Market
• 1975: Giant Open Air Market
• Notes: Was 2412 Churchland.
• 1903 Columbus Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1951: Colonial
• 234 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 300 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 311 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1946: Big Star
• 1951: Colonial
• 600 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 618 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 635 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 800 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 900 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: A&P
• 1935: A&P
• 900 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2021 County St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 200 Court St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 900 Court St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 908 Court St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 934 Crawford Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• Notes: Was B St.
• 2728 Deep Creek Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 3414 Deep Creek Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Food Town
• 1970: Food Town
• 1975: Food Town
• 1980: Boulevard Market
• Notes: Was 80 Deep Creek (1960).
• 498 Effingham, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• Notes: Was 408 S. Effingham. Approximate number.
• 1825 Effingham, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• Notes: Was S. Effingham.
• 319 Elliott Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Be-Lo
• Notes: Same as 3735? Renumbered?
• 3735 Elliott Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: A&P
• 1970: Be-Lo
• 1975: Be-Lo
• 1980: Be-Lo
• 1985: Be-Lo
• 1990: Be-Lo
• 1995: Be-Lo
• Notes: Same as 319? Renumbered?
• 120 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• Notes: Was 540 N. Elm Av. Approximate number.
• 425 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• Notes: Was 122 S. Elm Av. Approximate number.
• 1625 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• Notes: Was S. Elm Av.
• 1820 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1951: Colonial
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Colonial
• 1970: Colonial
• Notes: Was S. Elm Av.
• 1900 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• Notes: Was S. Elm Av.
• 2115 Elm Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: Eddie L Bowen
• 1940: Eddie L Bowen
• 1946: Edward L Bowen
• Notes: Was S. Elm Av.
• 836 Firehouse Ln, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: Piggly Wiggly
• 1930: Piggly Wiggly
• 1935: Piggly Wiggly
• Notes: Was Glasgow St
• 910 Firehouse Ln, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• Notes: Was Glasgow St
• 1280 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Giant Food
• 1965: Giant Food
• 1970: A&P
• 1975: A&P
• 1980: A&P
• 1985: A&P
• 1990: Super Fresh
• 1995: Super Fresh
• Notes: Midcity SC, open 1960 per guide.
• 1301 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2015: Kroger
• 1837 George Washington Hwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1990: Nick’s
• 3816 George Washington Hwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Colonial
• 1970: Colonial
• 1975: Colonial
• 1980: Big Star
• 1985: Giant Open Air Market
• 2015: Save-A-Lot
• Notes: Was 930 GW Hwy (1960). Town and Country SC, open 1955 per guide.
• 1209 Gilmerton Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: Edward L Bowen
• 701 Godwin St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 109 Gosport Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 426 Green St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• Notes: Was 300 S. Green St. Approximate number.
• 2120 Green St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: Edward L Bowen
• Notes: Was S. Green St.
• 2700 Green St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• Notes: Was S. Green St.
• 3310 Hartford St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: Byrd’s
• 1970: Byrd’s
• 1975: Byrd’s
• 1980: Byrd’s
• 1985: Byrd’s
• 229 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: Piggly Wiggly
• 1930: Piggly Wiggly
• 1935: Piggly Wiggly
• 1940: Piggly Wiggly
• 1951: Colonial
• 233 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: A&P
• 1935: A&P
• 1940: A&P
• 1946: A&P
• 1951: A&P
• 1960: A&P
• 1965: A&P
• 431 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1940: Pender
• 604 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: A&P
• 610 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: A&P
• 636 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: DP Stores
• 703 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1000 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1935: A&P
• 1026 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1940: Big Star
• 1946: Big Star
• 1951: Colonial
• Notes: 1024 (1946 on).
• 1206 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1330 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 1600 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1940: A&P
• 1946: A&P
• 1951: A&P
• 1960: A&P
• 1965: A&P
• 1970: A&P
• 1975: A&P
• 1601 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1624 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1951: Colonial
• 1960: Colonial
• 1980: Boulevard Market
• 2025 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 2718 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 2727 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores?
• 1940: Pender
• 3108 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• Notes: Rodmans SC, open 1957 per guide. Probably same as 3116.
• 3116 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: Colonial
• 1970: Colonial
• 1975: Colonial
• 1980: Big Star
• 1985: Earle’s Market
• 1990: Nick’s
• Notes: Rodmans SC, open 1957 per guide. Probably same as 3108.
• 3403 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Overton’s
• 1965: Overton’s
• 1970: Be-Lo
• 1975: Be-Lo
• 1980: Be-Lo
• 1985: Be-Lo
• 1990: Be-Lo
• 3619 High St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1951: Colonial
• Notes: Was 121 Chuchland Blvd.
• 5601 High St W, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2000: Hannaford
• 2015: Kroger
• 5911 High St W, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1975: Valu-Fair
• 1980: Valu-Fair
• 1985: Food Town
• 1990: Food Lion
• Notes: 5917 from 1980 on.
• 664 Lincoln St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Be-Lo
• 1965: Be-Lo
• 1970: Be-Lo
• 1975: Be-Lo
• Notes: Seventh and Lincoln SC.
• 836 Lincoln St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 900 Lincoln St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1946: Pender
• 500 London Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 1951: Pender
• 1960: Economy Food Store
• 1965: Economy Food Store
• 1970: Economy Food Store
• 1975: Economy Food Store
• Notes: Was London St
• 1112 London Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1980: Be-Lo
• 1985: Be-Lo
• 1990: Be-Lo
• 1995: Be-Lo
• 2000: Be-Lo
• 1501 London Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2000: Food Lion
• 2015: Food Lion
• Notes: 1503 (2015).
• 2100 London Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• Notes: Was Glasgow St
• 2114 London Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• Notes: Was Glasgow St
• 201 Middle St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 519 Middle St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• 301 Mt Vernon Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: Be-Lo
• 1970: Be-Lo
• 1975: Be-Lo
• 1980: Be-Lo
• 1985: Be-Lo
• 1990: Be-Lo
• 662 Mt Vernon Av, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• Notes: 660 (1945)
• 5815 W Norfolk Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1980: Giant Open Air Market
• 1985: Giant Open Air Market
• 1990: Farm Fresh
• 1995: Farm Fresh
• 2000: Farm Fresh
• 401 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: A&P
• 1935: A&P
• 1940: A&P
• 1946: A&P
• Notes: Was 4th St.
• 430 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• Notes: Was 4th St.
• 501 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: Piggly Wiggly
• 1930: Piggly Wiggly
• 1935: Piggly Wiggly
• 1940: Piggly Wiggly
• Notes: Was 4th St.
• 521 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• Notes: Was 4th St.
• 726 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 1951: Pender
• Notes: Was 4th St. 724 (1951).
• 821 Port Centre Pkwy, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P
• Notes: Was 4th St.
• 100 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• Notes: Was Naval Pl.
• 922 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1946: Pender
• Notes: Was Naval Pl.
• 5606 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Colonial
• 1970: Colonial
• 1975: Big Star
• 1980: Big Star
• 1985: Food Lion
• 1990: Food Lion
• 1995: Food Lion
• 2000: Food Lion
• 2015: Food Lion
• Notes: Old Suffolk Blvd in 1960. Simons Dale SC, open 1960 per guide. 5610 (2015).
• 6215 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1980: Earle’s Market
• 1985: Earle’s Market
• 1990: Nick’s
• 1995: Be-Lo
• 6403 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1975: Earle’s Market
• 841 South St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 900 South St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 1951: Colonial
• 3937 Turnpike Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1970: Farm Fresh
• 1975: Farm Fresh
• 1980: Farm Fresh
• 3960 Turnpike Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Colonial
• 1965: Colonial
• Notes: Airline Tpk in 1960.
• 3935 Twin Pines Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2000: Food Lion
• 3249 Tyre Neck Rd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2015: Harris Teeter
• 1907 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1990: Food Lion
• 1995: Food Lion
• 2000: Food Lion
• 1917 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: A&P
• 1965: A&P
• 1970: A&P
• 1975: Farm Fresh
• 1980: Farm Fresh
• Notes: Was 25 Victory (1960).
• 2001 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1960: Be-Lo
• Notes: Was 125 Victory (1960). Approximate number.
• 2012 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1985: Farm Fresh
• 1990: Farm Fresh
• 1995: Rack and Sack
• 2000: Farm Fresh
• 2015: Food Lion
• 3335 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1970: Earle’s Market
• 1975: Earle’s Market
• 1980: Earle’s Market
• 1985: Earle’s Market
• 3922 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1965: Be-Lo
• Notes: Same as 125? Renumbered?
• 4050 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1975: Food Fair
• Notes: J.M. Fields location near Portsmouth and Victory Blvds. Tower Mall. Demolished 2001.
• 4000 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 2015: Farm Fresh
• 1100 Washington St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1930: DP Stores
• 1935: DP Stores
• 1940: Pender
• 1946: Pender
• 1218 Washington St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: DP Stores
• 1300 Washington St, Portsmouth | Google Maps Link
• 1925: A&P