THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

April 8, 1993

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            This is, in part, some of the history of the A & P stores that existed in Waupaca for over 50 years.

            According to what information that I can find in the Waupaca County Post, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company came to Waupaca in 1922. The location is not known for sure at this time.

            The first newspaper ad that I found for the A & P store in the Waupaca County Post was in late December, 1922:  “A & P where economy rules, and prices are right.”  Sugar, 5 pounds for 37¢; lard, 12-1/2¢ lb.; Milk, tall can, 10¢; A & P flour, 24-1/2 lb. Sack, 83¢; Pink salmon, 14¢; Kitchen Klener, 4 for 25¢; Pork and beans No. 2 can, 9-1/2¢; A & P milk, tall can, 9-1/2¢ and Gold Metal flour, 24-1/2 lb. Sack, 89¢.

            The first concrete evidence that I have found at this time is that the A & P was located in the Hebblewhite building that was adjacent to the south of the Fair Store.  Mrs. Carl (Theresa) Carlson told me that she began employment with the A & P at this location in 1934.  It was here that Carl Carlson became manager, a position that he maintained for 21 years.

            Mr. Carlson started to work part-time for the A & P store while yet in high school. Upon graduation he became a full-time employee, and shortly after this he was made the manager of the local store.

            Sometime before 1936, the A & P store was moved to the Beadleston building on the corner of West Fulton and North Main streets (Broadway Optical, now).  They remained here until in January 1940, when they moved the Old Post Office building at 212 S. Main St. (Culligan Water Conditioning Co. now).

            A news article taken from the Waupaca County Post for April 18, 1940:  “Carl Carlson returned to Waupaca to again take over the management of the A & P store after spending several months in Appleton in charge of a similar store.”

            The A & P store remained in the Old Post Office building for three years.  The Waupaca County Post, January 7, 1943:  “The A & P grocery soon will vacate its quarters in the Old Post Office building at the south end of Main Street and move to the Odd Fellow’s building (Meredith’s Fashion Shop, 109 North Main, now) into quarters recently vacated by Rider’s Dime Store.  According to the manager Carl Carlson, the Odd Fellow building will be renovated, and a supermarket installed.”

            The 212 S. Main St. store was closed permanently on Monday night, Jan. 25, 1943.

            At 9 a.m. January 26, 1943, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company opened up the newest self-service food store in Waupaca at 100 N. Main.  According to Carl Carlson, every convenience for ease of shopping was incorporated in the interior arrangement of the store. In addition, they had a bakery department where bakery was received fresh daily.  Handy shopping gliders, or market baskets on wheels, were provided for the customers.  Mr. Carlson remained as manager until in May of 1953, when he went into business with George Johnson at the Waupaca Fruit Store.  He reported to work at the Waupaca Fruit Store May 18, 1953. After a few years they dissolved their partnership and Carl and Theresa Carlson purchased the grocery store at King from Leo Martin.  This they ran until they retired.

            The A & P store was to make one more move and it proved to be the last.  In August 1958, the Milwaukee general office stated that plans were underway for an elaborate grand opening of the company’s new A & P supermarket on West Fulton Street, on the northeast corner of West Fulton and Franklin streets (Cas Liquor now).  This was to replace the store on 109 North Main.

            Charles E. Nelson, the owner of the property formerly used for Mid-City Motors Co., leased the building to A & P.

            Extensive remodeling changed the appearance of the entire building. The new store was more than twice the size of the Main Street location.  Air conditioning was an added convenience for comfortable shopping.  Magic (Out)doors whisked customers on their way to a parcel pick-up area, where the groceries were placed in their automobiles.

            After 15 years at this location, the A & P store carried their last ad in the Waupaca County Post, on August 30, 1973.  They boxed up their merchandise and sent it to other stores.  They left Waupaca as silent as they came in 1922, after nearly 51 years of dedicated service to the people of the Waupaca area.

            Less than a month later, on September 27, 1973, Ron and Lloyd’s Red Owl store, with Giles Bellin as manager, hold their grand opening in the former A & P location.