-- as a child, what grocery store was the first you remember being in....? Also,

[Simply Red]

...what food-items do you remember your parents or guardian carting?

I think mine was Milgram's on Seven Hwy. across from Zarda Dairy.

Mom bought Seitz Hot-dogs and Mac-n-cheese loaf.

Also, bagged cereal. We were poor like the dickens.

Can you share your story?

Thank you.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by joeman335td

There's still a Ben Franklin in Chariton, Iowa...lots of cool crap in there.

No kidding? As a kid we'd go visit my Aunt in Anamosa and go into their Ben Franklin. They had a little bit of everything IIRC.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mall. I spent a LOT of time there before it was even enclosed. Woolworth's was the precursor to K-Mart, both were owned by the same company. The Woolworth's in the Blue Ridge Mall was a classic old school kind of drug/sundry/general merchandise store. You could get all the kind of stuff you get now in Walgreen's, plus they had a lunch counter/soda fountain with ice cream and such, fresh popcorn and lots of candy and toys, so kids LOVED it. Blue Ridge Mall had a cafeteria style restaurant called the Blue Rooster, anchor stores were Jones Store (now Macy's), Penny's and Wards. Also had Hartzfeld's, Russell Stover Candy Store, Newberry's, a bowling alley, Steve's Shoes, Zales Diamonds, Jenkins Music, and lots of other stuff. Of course, it's long since been demolished for a Wally World/Lowe's combo.

In my old neighborhood, we had lots of cool little grocers. Curt's Market (now a butcher shop) in Maywood, United Super in Maywood, United Super in Fairmount, the Milk Jug (convenience store) and lots of little mom and pop drive ins like the Starlight, Candy Stripe, Mugs Up, Dog N Suds, Clem's, and the Golden Point. Those were the good ole days, for sure!

Wow. I grew up 2 blocks from there. There was Consentino's Thriftway on Blue Ridge and Safeway at Blue Ridge and old 40hwy.

[gblowfish]

There was a Ben Franklin Store in Independence next to the Englewood Theater for years. I was very sad when it closed. It was a unique family small business, and a great loss to Independence when it went dark.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

There was a Ben Franklin Store in Independence next to the Englewood Theater for years. I was very sad when it closed. It was a unique family small business, and a great loss to Independence when it went dark.

I thought it was across the street from Chrisman High School. That must have been a TG&Y instead...

[mlyonsd]

Red Owl. Can't remember what was in the cart though.

[Earthling]

IGA in Wichita. As a teen I got caught swiping a snickers candy bar there too...wasn't able to keep it in my pants and it fell out as I was leaving. Dad made a believer out of me that "Thou shalt not steal" shortly afterwards.

[Raiderhater58]

Originally Posted by frazod

What a strange thread, but I'll bite. Consumers Grocery Store in Macon. It was a small store then, and it's a house now, but every time I'm in Macon and drive past it I remember it.

As for food, the main thing I remember is my grandma killing chickens by twisting their heads off. Then she'd drop the headless, blood spraying body on the ground and I'd chase it around until it finally quit moving. Later, we'd eat it for lunch/dinner. I also remember bread, butter and sugar sandwiches, and my grandma's butterscotch pie. My mom was a pretty shitty cook, I mainly remember the stuff she made when I got older.

what a small world, I remember that store with the wooden floors, I bought my first sling shot at that store. I believe that was my mothers first employer. I loved visiting Macon.

[FishingRod]

United Super, By the way I think there is a Texas Tom's In Shawnee. About 63rd and Quivira I always thought it was some nasty stuff but to each his own.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

There was a Ben Franklin Store in Independence next to the Englewood Theater for years. I was very sad when it closed. It was a unique family small business, and a great loss to Independence when it went dark.

Been there back in the day. You could buy lots of stuff for a nickle.

[mlyonsd]

Originally Posted by Earthling

IGA in Wichita. As a teen I got caught swiping a snickers candy bar there too...wasn't able to keep it in my pants and it fell out as I was leaving. Dad made a believer out of me that "Thou shalt not steal" shortly afterwards.

Ha, I worked several years at an IGA part time in the 70's.

[4th and Long]

Off topic but close to one of those grocery stores was a Papenfuss Hardware store. The guy had a working model train setup, along the top of the shelving areas, that went all the way around the entire store.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by FishingRod

United Super, By the way I think there is a Texas Tom's In Shawnee. About 63rd and Quivira I always thought it was some nasty stuff but to each his own.

That Texas Tom's closed years ago... maybe late 80s? It's a used car/pawn lot now. I agree, nasty food.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

The Woolworth's in the Blue Ridge Mall was a classic old school kind of drug/sundry/general merchandise store. You could get all the kind of stuff you get now in Walgreen's, plus they had a lunch counter/soda fountain with ice cream and such, fresh popcorn and lots of candy and toys, so kids LOVED it.

Do you remember Joey, the talking mynah bird they had there?

[loochy]

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by loochy

I thought it was across the street from Chrisman High School. That must have been a TG&Y instead...

Yes, there was a TG&Y across from Chrisman HS (now there is a Westlake Hardware and a Dollar General Store). There was also a TG&Y in a strip mall at US 24 and Sterling in Sugar Creek/Independence. That's also a Dollar General or Family Dollar store now.