Historic Stockton Grocers

Stockton Grocers of the Past

I have created a series of pages covering the streets of Stockton. Scroll down the page or click on a link at the top to see another page. These pages grew put of my love for both architecture and photography. The old photos came from various sources such as The California Photo Library, Calisphere, Library of Congress, UOP Archives, USC Library. OAC Library, friends Facebook and many others. I literally photographed thousands of photos of Stockton buildings. I continue to photograph Stockton on an ongoing basis.

When viewing photos on this page, you can click on a thumbnail to enlarge it and click again to reduce the size. Once you've enlarge a photo, you can turn the page into a slide show by clicking on the arrows shown in the enlargement. At the right of the page is an RSS feed, typically updated with fresh content hourly. Come back tomorrow and the topics covered will be different. I have included many topics on the various pages, including architecture, photography, books camera equipment reviews. Hover over the box at right  and you will find a browser bar to control the feed content. These pages are an ongoing project with changes being made regularly. Enjoy!

When the pioneers began moving to the vacant western United States, these self-reliant, independent individuals relied on their own skills to obtain food.

Vegetables could be grown on their homestead and cattle, pigs and chickens could be grown for meat with an occasional deer or bear to supplement their larder. After establishing themselves and prosperity was obtained, their desires for a "better” standard of living began establishing an institution that would supply their needs — the general store.

The opportunity to sell hard-to-find goods was met by individuals who many times became the richest residents in the community. In the general store, everything the customer wanted or needed could be supplied if the customer had enough money. Dry goods — clothes, cloth, hats, boots, shoes and sometimes exotic food — canned oysters, mushrooms, etc. became available as well as limited types of canned foods.

The proliferation of villages and small communities that spread out into the countryside increased the need for more of these small stores. More of these labor intensive stores sprung up not only in the core of the community but spread out into nearby neighborhoods. Many soon became specialized and sold only canned goods, farm produce, liquor, leather goods and meat products. Many aspects of these stores spelled trouble for them as the population increased and the automobile became a popular means of getting around. The merchandise in the store usually was doled out by a clerk who stood behind a counter, a very slow process. The goods available were limited and usually not marked with the price on it. Many goods, crackers, candy, etc. were not wrapped individually and had to be weighed and packaged. The number of customers who could be served was very limited due to the small number of family members available to wait upon the customer. All of these things took time and customers began looking for a quicker and cheaper way to shop and buy groceries.

Cost of products motivated the rise of the first supermarkets. Many attempts to cut the cost of food and household goods began in the larger cities in the 1800s.

Credit is given to Clarence Saunders of Memphis, Tenn. as the first developer of a self-service store. In 1916, Saunders named his stores Piggly Wiggly and provided check-out stands to cut the cost of help in his store. He also marked prices on every item and advertised his products and cost. His use of refrigerated cases encouraged frozen products and meat. His employees were dressed in uniforms. Saunders was so successful he franchised his stores and had 2,660 stores at the peak of his business.

After being founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883, the Kroger grocery stores in 1933 pioneered the first parking lot next to the store to accommodate the growing needs of the automobile public. Kroger’s had become the largest grocery store chain but only the second largest retailer by volume by the 2000s. In 2010, Wal-mart became the largest retailer in the United States.

The definition of a supermarket is: a business that offered self-service in separate product departments, discount pricing, marketing and volume selling. Research gives credit to a former Kroger employee, Michael J. Cullen, who on Aug. 4, 1930 opened in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., the first King Kullen store in a 6,000-square-foot former garage. His slogan "Pile it high. Sell it low” made his store highly successful and when he died in 1936 he had 17 stores in business.

The increase in strip malls in the suburbs after World War II and the proliferation of the automobile spelled the doom for most of the mom-and-pop grocery stores. Parking lots became available and the prices of Safeway, Krogers, King Kullen, Piggly Wiggly, Purity Stores, etc. were too good to pass up. Further developments in marketing beginning in the 1960s saw the advent of the "big-box” stores. Discount retailers who relied on selling high volumes of merchandise such as Wal-mart which also predominately used non-union help began to become popular. Warehouse clubs like Costco sprung up throughout the communities and super stores increased competition that hurt the small stores.

Competition and success in the grocery business saw many upstarts come and go. Most small stores either went out of business or were absorbed by the larger, more aggressive chains. The Niven family established the Purity Grocery stores mainly along the West Coast in 1924. They occupied the unique Quonset Hut styled store on Broadway in Millbrae until 1977 when the company was liquidated. The site is now a Kinko’s/FedEx business and the only Purity store remaining is in Ft. Bragg, Calif.

The evolution to supply food and merchandise has resulted in the demise of many small entrepreneurs and much of the” personal touch” they offered has vanished except in very small communities. The return to the old way of life is a little more expensive but the satisfaction experienced has been lost.

During the preceding century, Stockton has seen many local, regional and national grocers come and go. The city was an early location for Piggly Wiggly and Safeway, while later there were Alpha-Beta,. Albertsons early California stores. Centro-Marts, Fry's and Lucky Stores also operated stores in Stockton

Stockton is where the Black's stores, Green Frog, Centromarts, Don Quick, Gaines, and a Save-Mart (a local chain with nothing to do with the Modesto Modesto, San Jose and Fresno Save-marts), originated. The stores listed below are all out of business, have become other markets or other type of use.

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Former 88 Market - Waterloo Rd. - Far right photo courtesy of Terry Gust

American Market Company - East Weber Avenue

A&L Market - 1005 North Yosemite - Former Blacks Market - 1940 - 1950

Former Albertsons /Former Payless Supermarket - 6435 Pacific Avenue in Lincoln Center South. Payless subsequently sold their supermarket chain to Albertson's. Albertsons later sold their Northern California stores to Save-Mart of Modesto. They could not use the Save-Mart name in Stockton, so the stores were named S-mart. It later became a Food Bank Store. A Safeway store is at this location today 6435 Pacific Avenue

Former Albertsons / Food Bank - 1060 N. Wilson Way  - Now a Grocery Outlet

Former Alpha Beta - 1449 W. March Lane

Former Antoini's Market - 2202 E. Fremont Street

Bel Air Market - 230 E. Charter Way - Stetson's Market / Dicks Market / today a El Mercado

Former Berry's Market - 1148 S. San Joaquin Former Council for the Spanish Speaking (76) / Berry's Market / Habeeb Grocery (50)

Former Blacks Markets

No.9 - 519 E. Charter Way (1955) - Became Jacks Food

No.1 - 301 N. El Dorado - (1937) Became a Green Spot (1957)

No.5 - 1230 E. Harding Way. (1950)

No.10 - 106 Lincoln Center - Now Podesto's

The original Blacks - Main & Center Streets

No.4 - 2209 East Main Street (1940-1950) - Don Quicks, 1965 - Now a Church

No 8 - Monte Diablo and Buena Vista (1950s) Now a halfway house

No 2 - 2112 Pacific, - Became a Gaines Market (1957)

No.10 - 2222 Pacific Avenue (1950)

No.7 - 902 Waterloo Rd. (1950) / Became Carpet Corner / Green Frog

No.3 - 100% N. Yosemite. - Now A&L Market

1890's Black's Family Grocery Store - Northeast corner Main & Center. Operated by Alexander and Houston Black. The family later operated grocery stores all over the Central Valley including stores in Fresno and Stockton.

 

 

Former Blacks Markets - - Blacks had six Stockton Markets in 1955;
No.1 - 301 N. El Dorado - (1937) Became a Green Spot (1957)
No 2 - 2112 Pacific, - Became a Gaines Market (1957)
No.3 - 1005 N. Yosemite. - Now A&L Market
No.4 - 2209 East Main Street (1940-1950) - Don Quicks, 1965 - Now a Church
No.5 - 1230 E. Harding Way. (1950)
No.6 - 528 East Weber - 1940-1950
No.7 - 902 Waterloo Rd. (1950) / Became Carpet Corner / Green Frog
No 8 - Monte Diablo and Buena Vista (1950s) Now a halfway house
No.9 - 519 E. Charter Way (1955) - Became Jacks Food
No.10 - 2222 Pacific Avenue (1950)
No.11 - 106 Lincoln Center - Now Podesto's

Fred Black lived at 806 S. Regent

Green Frog

Former Green Frog - 523 E. Charter Way same as Jacks's Food 519 E. Charter Way

Former Green Frog - Blacks / Green Spot - 301 N. El Dorado St. Demolished

Former Green Frog Food Emporium - 1930-1970 - 902 Waterloo Rd -Courtesy of Ron Chapman

Former Green Frog Food Emporium - 701 East Weber  9145 - 1950 - Green Spot Food. then Felix & Betty's Italian Restaurant

Former Green Frog / Blacks / Now small shops - 2222 Pacific Avenue

The Stockton chain had four locations by 1948 when the owner sold the stores and began building new Green Frog Markets in San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland.

Former Green Spot Market - 1910 Country Club in 1957 - Later a Radio Shack Store - Today Casagrandes Delicatessen & Catering

Former G&G Market - 2301 E. Vine St

Hammond and Yardley Groceries - 223 East Weber Avenue- The building was part of the Hammond and Yardley Grocery Store, once two stories tall. The 1895 and 1917 Stockton Sanborn Maps reveal that there was once a two-story building on this site, but by the time the 1950 map was drawn, a one-story building was present. The Stockton City Directory listed the building as the Pleasanton House by 1912 and through 1925. By 1930, the building was listed as the Skaggs Safeway Stores and the Bradford Hotel. By 1940, it had been converted into F. L. Williams. Real Estate and State Building and Loan, and in 1945, the Stockton Realty Board, State Savings & Loan Association and Williams Real. Estate were all located here. In the 1960s, the facade and interior were altered to accommodate a thrift shop. Photographs reveal a metal or wood panel placed over the upper portion of the facade, and a large display window in each of the two narrow bays. The screen has since been removed, and the facade remodeled to an Art Deco style.

J.N. Harrison & Sons Grocery - 135 N. California St. 1915. Today, part of the RTD block

Hart & Thrift Grocery. 401-407 E. Weber Avenue. The building's original owners, John Hart and E.E. Thrift, were two of Stockton's commercial pioneers and regarded as highly respected gentlemen. Their grocery store carried a "choice lot of groceries and provisions." - Today, it's part of the RTD Block

Hi & Bye Market 505 W. Harding Way - former Segarini's

Jewel Tea - 738 E. Market St - The former Goodwill Building

Jones Hewlitt Groceries - 1860

King's Market - 1749 S. California St. / Today Salam Market

King's Market - 2654 E. Main St. / Today Realty World Dave Thurman

Knutzen and Ewertsen, Grocers. This building at 704 East Lindsay has housed various businesses and residents since its beginning. By 1930, Knutzen and Ewertsen, grocers, and Jasper Ksinner, miller were listed here, along with H. L. Nickerson, Mrs. Emma Lee. and Sarah Bennett The grocery store remained in this location through 1950, though the name changed to Migraoco Grocery by 1945. By 1950, The Canteen, a vending machine company, occupied the store front at 708 E. Lindsay.

Former Lucky's Milk & Ice Cream - 530 E. Charter Way

Former March's Market - 47 W. Harding Way. Today it's March's Liquors

Marks Grocery (1967) - 1601 S. Sutter

Martha Washington Grocery Stores - 522 East Weber - By 1923 there were 56 Martha Washington Stores in California. The chain disappeared by 1928 - The building still stands today

Former New Deal Market - 2015 E. Mariposa Rd - Today Don Juan foods

Former Oak Market Grocery - 947 S. San Joaquin

Former Oak Park Market - E. Alpine

P&J Market - 1608 S. Adelbert

Former Piggly Wiggly Markets

Former Piggly Wiggly Market -46 W. Acacia Street

Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 1400 S. California Street

Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 1304 N. El Dorado Street

Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 1802 S. El Dorado Street

Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 2153 E. Main

Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 323 E. Market Street

Former Piggly Wiggly Market -1910 Pacific Avenue

Former Piggly Wiggly Market -1910 Pacific Avenue

Former Piggly Wiggly Market -1 S. Wilson Way

Former Piggly Wiggly Market -914 North Wilson Way

 Former Piggly Wiggly Market - 445-447 East Weber

Former Piggly Wiggly Markets - In 1928 - Safeway acquired Piggly Wiggly of The Pacific which included 91 stores (including 7 Stockton Stores) Most of these stores continued to operate under the Piggly Wiggly name for several years. These stores included: 1400 S. California Street, 46 W. Acacia Street, 1304 N. El Dorado Street, 1802 S. El Dorado Street, 323 E. Market Street, 1910 Pacific Avenue, 914 North Wilson Way, 445-447 East Weber

Former Quick Stop Market - 1414 E. Harding Way - Tire & Wheel Pros

Former Redwood Market - 1319 East Harding Way - Next door to former Dicks Drive In - And the building was Redwood Color at one time and it also had a wood shake roof - It looked much better back then

Safeway Stores in Stockton

Former Safeway - 15 W. Harding Way Walgreens - Also a Center Street Address

Former Safeway /Centro-Mart - Charter Way - Now a Dollar General Market

Former Safeway - 1930-1950 - 348 East Charter Way - Today a hair Salon 

2720 Country Club - Big Lots. Safeway moved next door - Courtesy of Floyd PerryJr.

Former Skaggs Safeway - 1925-1950 - 2208 E. Main St - Casa Mexicana Panaderia / Market

Former Safeway - 1940-1950 - 600 N. El Dorado St - Today an Auto Supply Store

Don Quick / Former Safeway / Consumers Discount / Grand Save.. 2481 E. Main / Mercado

Former Safeway - 1940-1955 - 1861 Pacific Avenue - Miracle Mile

Former Safeway - 1902 Pacific Avenue - 1930-35

Former Safeway /  6632 Pacific. Courtesy of Floyd Perry Jr.

Former Safeway - 233 East Weber - 1930s

Former Safeway - 1940-1955 - 630 East Weber - Today a church

Former Safeway - 340 North Wilson Way - Now a tire store

Safeway - 1935 - Piggly-Wiggly 1930 - 1 South Wilson Way

 Former Safeway, 948 North Yosemite - 1930 - 1940 - Now a Restaurant

Open  - Safeway - Country Club and I-5 -

Open  - Safeway - 6445 Pacific Avenue  - Lincoln Center