[Andrew T.]

On my last road trip from Wisconsin to my hometown in West Virginia and back again, I passed this store along the way; distinguished by its gable roof, faux chimney pylon, and incongruously large tacked-on Family Dollar sign. It has the look and feel of an old supermarket to it.



Does anyone have any ideas as to what this store may have originally been?

[rich]

IGA Foodliners often used a ranch design, not unlike this. The pylon/chimney, I'm less sure about. The Pennyfare chain (part of Thorofare) used a ranch design, but this looks a little small for them. Portsmouth would have been in Kroger & Big Bear territory and neither used designs like these. Could have been a local.

[Andrew T.]

[...]Could have been a local.

It might well be that, much as I hate to admit it...

[lvkewlkid]

actually most of our Family Dollars in Las Vegas looks like that and i think they may be new-builds possibly, unless someone knows if they were something else before Family Dollar?

[Ohio Man]

IGA Foodliners often used a ranch design, not unlike this. The pylon/chimney, I'm less sure about. The Pennyfare chain (part of Thorofare) used a ranch design, but this looks a little small for them. Portsmouth would have been in Kroger & Big Bear territory and neither used designs like these. Could have been a local.

I lived for many years in the Portsmouth area and can confirm the location is indeed a former IGA. I worked in New Boston during the summer of 1975 and made my one and only visit inside the store during that time. Ther was also an independent supermarket called Blackburn's in New Boston during that time. By the mid-90s, both the IGA and Blackburn's were closed and Blackburn's IGA was operating on another part of Rhodes Avenue. I don't know exactly when the 4033 Rhodes IGA closed but it was vacant for quite some time, if memory serves.

[Andrew T.]

Wow, thanks!

[Ohio Man]

Wow, thanks!

You're quite welcome. After posting in this thread, I checked the yellow pages on aol to see if there was a current listing for Blackburn's IGA. Appaently, the Blackburns and IGA have parted company, since the listing at 3520 Rhodes Ave. is now given as "Blackburn's BG Family Food". It's amazing how quickly some business affiliations come and go...

[Ohio Man]

IGA Foodliners often used a ranch design, not unlike this. The pylon/chimney, I'm less sure about. The Pennyfare chain (part of Thorofare) used a ranch design, but this looks a little small for them. Portsmouth would have been in Kroger & Big Bear territory and neither used designs like these. Could have been a local.

I lived for many years in the Portsmouth area and can confirm the location is indeed a former IGA. I worked in New Boston during the summer of 1975 and made my one and only visit inside the store during that time. Ther was also an independent supermarket called Blackburn's in New Boston during that time. By the mid-90s, both the IGA and Blackburn's were closed and Blackburn's IGA was operating on another part of Rhodes Avenue. I don't know exactly when the 4033 Rhodes IGA closed but it was vacant for quite some time, if memory serves.

I've discovered that Blackburn's has a website: http://www.blackburns.biz

Note the original store photograph from 1943. This location was active until at least the mid-70's.

Hmm, no mention of the IGA affiliation. That must not have ended well...

[Puge]

Emnett's Market which he first opened in 1916 and it remained there until the 30's when they built a new larger building just east of the original store. In the early 60's a new supermarket was constructed at the same location and remained open as Emnett's IGA Foodliner until closing in the mid 70's.