Today’s letter comes from Patty Hollander of York Township. She had read the memories shared by Wayne Breighner and called them “really an enjoyable read.”
“I do have a ‘mix-up’ in my mind, though,” Patty says. “Mr. Breighner referred to the first Food Fair supermarket opening in the early fifties near W. Market St. and Dewey. Could one of your readers tell me what I have mixed up: I remember a Food Fair opening in the second block of North Penn St. before I graduated from William Penn in ’46. Having relied solely on Ma and Pas and the farmer’s markets (not open daily) this new supermarket caused quite a stir. I hope someone can tell me what I have mixed up!”
Any ideas for Patty? I’d love to hear more about Food Fair in general, and in particular its earliest stores in the area. The Food Fair wikipedia page mentions that it later became Pantry Pride, and that the chain opened in Harrisburg in the 1920s (!), and that the company later bought J.M. Fields (double !). But not too much about its stores in our area, which is, of course, where you come in. Any ideas?
My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town. And, as a local editor, I hear every day how much you love your towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!
the first Food Fair I can remember was located at W Philadelphia and Bever Streets. I also remember there was located on W. Market just west of richland Ave. I do remember that the J M Fields store at the North Mall had a Food Fair inside …so maby both stores were owned by the same company.
I remember shopping with parents at the FF on Philadelphia St. and then going across the street to Central Market, but we left the area in 1957 so I don’t know of any others around York.
The first Food Fair my parents shopped was the one at W Market and Richland. Before that all our groceries were bought at Blue Bell Market on the square in Dover, before that was remodeled and re-named, they bought most foods at Snelbecker’s grocery on S Main St. Does anybody remember that Food Fair did not give out S&H Green Stamps, but had Merchants Green Stamps.