City Market (US grocery store chain)
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Supermarket) |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Josef Pruenster |
| Headquarters | Grand Junction , United States |
Area served | Rocky Mountains area (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming) |
| Parent | Kroger |
| Website | www |
City Market is a supermarket chain serving the Rocky Mountains area in the United States, with its main office located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It operates as a division of Kroger.
History
The origins of City Market trace back to Josef Pruenster, an immigrant from Italy who settled in La Junta, Colorado. He initially ran a slaughterhouse before founding a grocery store named City Market. The enterprise was later expanded by his four sons: Paul, Frank, Leo, and Clarence.
In 1924, Paul Prinster relocated to Grand Junction and purchased a stake in a City Market grocery situated on Fourth Street. His brothers joined him in this venture, eventually securing full ownership. By 1939, the company had grown to include a contemporary supermarket at the intersection of Fourth Street and Rood Avenue.
Following World War II, City Market pursued regional expansion by establishing stores in western Colorado communities such as Montrose and Delta, as well as in states including New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
The acquisition of City Market by Dillon Companies occurred in 1969, positioning it alongside Front Range-based King Soopers as sister companies. Both entities became part of The Kroger Co. after the 1999 merger between Dillon and Kroger.
Merger
In 2024, a federal court halted the planned merger between Kroger and Albertsons. During proceedings, Kroger representatives acknowledged that eight City Market outlets in Colorado had raised prices amid limited competition, though this had minimal effect on their business operations.
Stores
In 2022, City Market divested its New Mexico store located in Shiprock (within the Navajo Reservation) to Arizona-based Bashas.
By 2025, Kroger manages 32 City Market locations spread across 27 cities within Colorado.