Colonial Stores
| File:Colonial Stores - 1947.svg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Supermarket/Retail |
| Founded | December 5, 1940 |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Brand discontinued |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Number of locations | 435 (1965) |
| Parent | National Food Products (1940-1978) Grand Union (1978-1983) |
Colonial Stores was a grocery chain that operated extensively across the Southern region. During the 1970s, most locations were rebranded as Big Star Markets, with many eventually transitioning to Harris Teeter or A&P outlets.
David Pender Grocery Company
Originating from Norfolk, Virginia, the D. P. Pender Grocery Stores began operations in 1900.[1] Initially, goods were delivered using horse-drawn wagons.[1] By 1919, a second store had opened in Norfolk, followed by further expansion throughout Central and Eastern Virginia.[1] Upon Pender's retirement on January 1, 1926, the business transitioned into a publicly held company named the David Pender Grocery Company, which later became a subsidiary of National Food Products Corporation.[1] At that time, the company managed 244 stores and employed over 1,500 staff.[1][2] In 1930, average sales per store reached approximately $35,000.[3]
L. W. Rogers Grocery Company
L. W. Rogers established his first grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia in 1892.[1] Over the following two decades, the company expanded its footprint into Georgia and South Carolina.[1] By 1926, Rogers' enterprise was incorporated into National Food Products Corporation.[1]
Colonial Stores
In 1937, National Food Products launched two combined self-service supermarkets under the "Big Star" brand in Griffin, Georgia and Greensboro, North Carolina, merging elements from both Pender and Rogers chains.[1][2] Smaller outlets were also introduced under the "Little Star" name.[1][2] The official consolidation of these chains occurred in 1940 with the formation of Colonial Stores, Inc.[1][2] The rooster emblem was unveiled in 1947. By 1950, total sales amounted to $179 million, averaging $488,637 per individual store.[3]
In 1955, National Food Products acquired Cincinnati's Albers Super Markets and Indianapolis' Stop and Shop Companies, integrating them under the Colonial Stores banner.[1][4]
During the 1970s, most locations adopted the Big Star branding.[1]
The Colonial Stores chain was purchased by New Jersey-based Grand Union in 1978.[5] Initially, the acquisition faced opposition from the Federal Trade Commission due to antitrust concerns,[6] but these objections were eventually withdrawn allowing the deal to proceed.[7]
By the 1980s, stores in Norfolk were shuttered with many sold to Food Town (later known as Food Lion).[1] In 1988 Grand Union divested these stores,[2] with North Carolina and Virginia locations acquired by Harris Teeter, while those in Atlanta were taken over by A&P.[1][2]
Locations
At its height, the company operated more than 500 outlets spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. By 1964, the number of stores had decreased to 435.
In 1955, the corporate headquarters were situated in Atlanta.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:0 - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:1 - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:2 - ↑ Reminisce: Albers Super Market
- ↑ UPI Archive
- ↑ Washington Post
- ↑ Federal Trade Commission Decision Volumes