Glen's Markets
| The word "Glen's" in red with an underline, and "Markets" positioned above the E and N. | |
| Front view of a Glen's supermarket Glen's Markets located in Oscoda, Michigan, prior to its rebranding as Family Fare. | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Grocery retail |
| Founded | 1951, in Gaylord, Michigan |
| Founder | C. Glen Catt |
| Fate | Rebranded as Family Fare |
Area served | Michigan |
| Products | Grocery merchandise |
| Parent | SpartanNash |
Glen's Markets was a regional supermarket chain in the United States. Established in 1951 by C. Glen Catt in Gaylord, Michigan, the brand grew to operate over 30 stores throughout Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Growth during the 1980s and beyond was largely driven by acquisitions of other grocery outlets such as Ashcraft's and Prevo's. For the majority of its existence, Glen's Markets functioned as an affiliate of Spartan Stores (currently SpartanNash), which fully acquired the company in 1999. Beginning in 2010, Spartan initiated a transition of Glen's locations to the Family Fare banner, a process completed by 2014.
History
The inaugural Glen's Market opened its doors in 1951 in Gaylord, Michigan, founded by C. Glen Catt. This initial store was formerly known as Vincent's before being expanded during the late 1950s, coinciding with Glen's affiliation with Spartan Foods (now SpartanNash). Additional stores launched in Kalkaska, Michigan and Grayling, Michigan in 1956 and 1959 respectively.[1] During the 1970s, the original trio of stores moved to new premises while numerous other outlets were established across northeastern Michigan. Notably, locations in Rose City, Michigan and Mio, Michigan were conversions from former IGA stores, whereas those in Mancelona, Michigan and Roscommon, Michigan transitioned from former A&P stores.[2] By 1981, Glen's operated eleven stores with a twelfth under construction in Rogers City, Michigan.[1]
In 1986, the chain extended its reach into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by acquiring several former Red Owl supermarkets located in St. Ignace, Michigan, Munising, Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Iron Mountain, Michigan, along with opening a newly constructed store in Escanaba, Michigan. However, the Iron Mountain and Escanaba outlets were sold within two years. The Munising and Sault Ste. Marie stores were relocated during the early 1990s. In 1992, Glen's expanded further by purchasing former Giant supermarkets in Petoskey, Michigan, East Tawas, Michigan, and Alpena, Michigan. A year later, a second Petoskey location was added through acquisition of a former Buy Low Foods store. By 1997, both the East Tawas store and an Alpena location opened in 1988 were closed and converted into Save-A-Lot franchises. That same year saw a significant renovation of the Gaylord store which included adding a Dairy Queen franchise. Upon retirement of founder C. Glen Catt, ownership passed to his son Glen A. Catt.[2]
Spartan Stores (now known as SpartanNash) purchased Glen's Markets in 1999 after decades of supplying products to the chain.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name At that point, ownership rested with Glen Catt’s grandson—also named Glen Catt—and the business comprised 23 grocery outlets along with four pharmacies and a warehouse facility located in Waters, Michigan. Several assets were excluded from this transaction including Save-A-Lot franchise locations and a shopping center adjacent to the Gaylord store.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Following acquisition by Spartan, the Glen's brand was extended in 2004 when Spartan consolidated most Traverse City-based Prevo’s stores and all Harrison-based Ashcraft’s locations under the Glen’s banner.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 2012, former Ashcraft’s stores located in Clare, Michigan and Marion, Michigan were rebranded as Valu Land—a discount grocery concept introduced by Spartan.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Concurrently with these changes, Spartan began rebranding Glen’s Markets under the Family Fare nameplate starting with the Midland location—also previously Ashcraft’s—in 2010.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Over the course of 2013 and 2014, most remaining Glen’s stores transitioned to Family Fare branding; this included locations such as those in Frankfort, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Exceptions included two Petoskey stores: one was renamed D&W Fresh Market by Spartan,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name while the other was shuttered and later acquired by Hobby Lobby in 2014.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
References
External links
Template:SpartanNash Template:Supermarkets of the United States