Once upon a time, grocery stores were a formal affair. They were the places to be seen and catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip. Things have really changed drastically in more ways than you think. Read on to see how people used to shop for their food and everyday necessities…
Northland Food, the 1970s
Inside the Thief River Falls, Minnesota, customers mill about before selecting a cashier. Notice the huge registers and produce scales right at the registers. Northland had it all.
Grand Grocery Company, 1942
Oranges for only a penny—sold. Get me in a time machine back to Lincoln, Nebraska STAT!
Ralph’s, 1942
Californians know this classic spot. The 40s style cars swarm the Los Angeles parking lot.
U-Pak Kmart No Frills Supermarket, 1979
Yes, that was the full name of the market—’Twas a mouth-full. Pontiac, Michigan needed to do less.
Cozart’s Grocery, 1965
Duke’s mayonnaise really went in on this store display. Whoever said you can never have enough mayo obviously has never seen this.
Sunny Grocery Store, 1940
Sunkist has been around since the early 40s, and they wasted no time making their name known. Now, Sunkist is a household name.
Margaret’s Store, 1940
The Dubuque, Iowa storefront features an owl promoting the state’s iconic potato supply. What Owls have to do with potatoes, well, the world may never know.
Clean Teeth, 1950s
Through the years, grocery stores have become a one-stop-shop for everything, even toothbrushes. In fact, today, most double as drug stores and grocery markets.
Kroger Grocery Store, 1947
Shoppers donned their finest furs for a trip to the grocery store, and why wouldn’t you, they’ve got money-saving prices after all.
Cooperative Store, 1938
In Greenbelt, Maryland, a boy and his little sister wait for mom while she scans the aisles for deals.
Zabala’s, 1979
Sometimes the best grocery stores are the simple mom and pop shops. John Zabala’s store was often empty at the end of its heyday.
Clark’s, 1962
Though advertising and research have helped stop the success of cigarettes, in the 1960s, nearly everyone smoked. People could even help themselves to whatever they wanted straight from the display.
General Store, 1938
The porch of the store is the perfect place to sit on a slow summer day. This young boy does so while smoking in Roseland, VA… see? Everyone smoked.
Out Back, 1938
The front of the store is where owners keep things looking nice and welcoming. This shop in Baltimore, MD store proved that it’s what’s out back that tells the real story…
High School Shopper, 1962
A high school exchange student in Michigan shops at his new market to check out the deals.
Houchens Grocery Store, 1950s
In Kentucky, two little girls look for their mother in a crowded grocery store line. Our guess is they were asking mom to buy them something sweet.
Ralph’s, 1943
In Los Angeles, this old school register sits idly by waiting for the next customer to make their purchases.
Country Store, 1939
Located on a dirt road in Gordonton, North Carolina, this small market sold cigarettes, gasoline, and other goods.
19th Century Grocery
Back in the late 19th century, people dressed up nicely to go to the store. Specific products could only be retrieved by a cashier from behind the counter.
A Store From the 80’s
In the 1980s, everything was sold in glass bottles. How’s that for environmentally conscious?
Piggly Wiggly in 1962
This Piggly Wiggly in Encino, California preferred to employ young and pretty cashiers, seen here ready to begin their shift while the manager takes a stroll past the checkout stations.
Shopping Through the Sixties
In the 1960s, women really multitasked like pros. Since curling irons weren’t around yet, women often rocked their curlers to the store to set their hair in the day so they’d be ready for a big night out.
Publix Supermarket, 1957
Publix was once one of the biggest stores. They once did a promotion of their wide aisles by driving a customer around to shop the store in a tiny car.
Matsuda’s Store, 1941
A poster reading “I Am An American” appeared over the family-run grocery store on December 8th, the day after Pearl Harbor. Ironically, the store closed shortly thereafter due to an evacuation of all Japanese persons from West Coast areas.
Piggly Wiggly, 1918
This Memphis, Tennessee store opened in 1916. It earned local fame as the first self-service grocery store.
Publix Market, 1961
This shop in Sarasota, Florida features some of the iconic cars of the era. If you were seen at Publix, you were big time.
Women Shopping in 1970
In this photo, two women in an American supermarket catch up on the latest gossip.
Co-Op Shopping, 1938
In this Maryland grocery store, a father does the shopping with his young baby. This guy was ahead of the times!
Proud Owners, 1925
This country store is located in Bremerton, Washington was family-owned for quite a while.
James Dean, 1955
Film star James Dean shopped in Marfa, Texas and was caught on camera scanning the aisles.
Jitney Jungle, 1962
Tallahassee native, Billy Barineau, rings up customers in this hometown checkout counter.
An Owner in His Store, 1960
This Evansville, Indiana store owner proudly sold produce and dry goods to the local town and earned many friendly regulars.
Man and Dogs, 1940
Beef used to be just 9 cents a pound in Robinson, Illinois—oh, how times have changed.
Children Waiting, 1941
Only 5-10 cents for fruits in this Chicago market was quite a steal.
Jayne Mansfield, 1959
The actress, singer, and Playmate donned a long sparkling gown and two decorated pups for this Las Vegas grocery store trip. Every day is a fashion show, after all, right?
Lee Vining Market, 1927
Out in Lee Vining California, this market started as a small meat house in the 20s and is still open to this day.
Grocer, 1914
A family-owned store at 8th and Winstanley Ave in St. Louis, Illinois poses beside their many products, protected behind a counter and glass.
Sanitary Store, 1924
Richmond, VA owners stand at attention, ready to take on a new day. On Main Street, there was never a dull moment.
Cozart’s, 1965
Coke was a big seller at the beginning of the era of soda pop. Here, two store owners smile with the brand new display.
Grocery Store, 1960
Though the store name is unknown, you can be sure that it’s “Where Shopping is a Pleasure” in a tropical place.
Jennie Magill, 1956
While mom shops, her two children monkey around the shopping cart. A mom’s work is never easy!
Women’s Work
This grocery store was opened by a woman sometime in the 1940s. The Cincinnati, Ohio store sold more than just laundry products and was quite successful
Home Grocery, 1938
This Omaha, Nebraska shop sold sodas, tea, and much more! The building was a converted residence.
Super Giant Supermarket, 1964
This store wasn’t just a supermarket. It was a supergiant supermarket, located in Rockville, Maryland.
Child Co-op, 1938
Even little shoppers could find all their favorites goodies at this Co-op in Greenbelt, Maryland.
General Store, 1973
Is there anything more 1970s than a coke, rainbow stripes, and middle-parted hair? This penny candy store had it all.
Tulip Town Market, 1945
This photo was taken in Oak Ridge, Tennessee by Edward Westcott in the Grove Center. Products were placed in the crates to be taken home.
General Store, 1938
A woman in Blankenship, Indiana asks the grocery clerk about a product she is purchasing. Bartering wasn’t unheard of back in these days.
Supermarket, 1970
In this classic 70s photo, a woman and her daughter stroll the aisles in true 70s fashion.
Frozen Food Aisle, the 1950s
These three young homemakers convene by the frozen foods to catch up after running into each other. Supermarkets were an epicenter for town happenings.
Mayfair Supermarket, 1950
This Mayfair, Connecticut display shows off the stores wide array of cookies, and we’re not gonna lie… this is our kind of parade!
Small Grocery Store, 1938
Here in Jeanerette, Louisiana, they roast their coffee daily, but with a face like that at the front door, maybe people will walk the other way.
Kroger Grocery Store, 1947
This Lexington, Kentucky store gathers quite a lot of business on a Sunday afternoon. Seems like that’s one thing that hasn’t changed after all this time.
General Store, 1920
This Chicago store owner, in his neat and tidy store, takes a phone call while he waits for a customer.
The Cooperative Grocery Store, 1942
Greenbelt, Maryland shoppers scan the aisles for the perfect lunchtime snack. Taste-testing is, of course, a must!
Kings Supermarket, 1950
A nod to the older era, this shop used old conveyors that circle around the cashier for bagging.
Piggly Wiggly, 1959
Come one, come all, the Piggly Wiggly is having quite a sale on pyrex decantors!
Rural Grocery Store, 1972
This Southeast Idaho bag boy strikes a pose as a cashier rings up another customer.
Clark’s, 1962
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a man works the dairy counter at Clark’s which sold groceries, drugs, clothes, and much more.
The Cooperative Store, 1938
In Irwinville Farms, Georgia families travel to the local grocer for canned goods, bottled sodas, and cigarettes. Check out those overalls!
Thriftimart, 1959
The West Covina Thritimart highlights the finest cars in California living and epic vintage signage.
Pat Nixon, 1958
Before moving into the White House, the Nixons were just like any other family. Here, Pat Nixon is seen shopping with her daughters Julie and Tricia.
Cart Shopper, 1974
This woman really went to hard on her shopping trip. Thank goodness she didn’t forget the Macaroni & Cheese.
Advertisement, the 1970s
This Trade Ad photo appeared alongside Ruffles Potato Chips, RyKrisp, Flings, and more.
General Store, 1942
Before there were child labor laws, there were delivery wagons. Young boys lined the storefront to wait for customers who needed an extra hand with their bags.