In 1957 Jewel acquired Eisner Food Stores, a 43-store chain of supermarkets with operations in downstate Illinois (primarily Champaign and Springfield) and Western Indiana. Within a few years, the Eisner stores began to closely resemble Jewel in both appearance and marketing strategies, although Eisner continued to be managed from Champaign.
By the early 60's, the company realized that Eisner's existing market population would only support a limited number of new full-blown supermarkets, so they implemented an interesting strategy. A wholesale division was established in 1963 to complement the corporate-owned store operation. Eisner sought out successful independent grocery operators for the purpose of converting their stores to "Eisner Agency" stores and supplying them on a wholesale basis, very similar to the "Walgreen Agency" stores which once existed in many areas of the country. The photo is from 1965.
Dave, first let me say how much I am enjoying your site. I discovered it just today, have skimmed a good chunk of it, and will be reading all of your archives over the coming weeks. It truly is one of the most impeccably researched and well-written blogs I've ever seen. That said, I grew up in Decatur, Illinois, which had a handful of Eisner stores. My favorite was what we called the "little Eisner," which was a small neighborhood store, almost like those of the '30s or '40s. My brother even dated someone from the Eisner family, if I remember correctly. When Jewel bought Eisner, I was sad to see the old name and associated iconography slip away. I live in Chicago now, and it took me a while to stop saying "Eisner" when referring to a Jewel store.
ReplyDeleteLet me add to my first comment--while I've learned from you that Jewel bought Eisner in 1957, the Eisner stores in my hometown of Decatur, Illinois, kept their original name until at least the early '80s when they became Jewel stores. Thanks again for the great historical perspective, and for bringing back so many memories.
ReplyDeleteNoyoucmon – Very glad that you like the article and the site – thanks so much! I would have to say that my memories of Jewel rank among the fondest, at least as far as retail stores go, so yours of Eisner definitely resonate! The “little Eisner” would certainly have been a great one to see. Well into the 1960’s when they had long been operating large supermarkets, Jewel still had a fair number of tiny neighborhood grocery stores operating. The few Eisner photos I’ve seen are all from the post-Jewel buyout era, with Jewel’s orange and brown logo scheme applied to the Eisner nameplate. It would be interesting to know what it looked like before. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI have memories growing up in Lafayette, IN in the early 1980s and my Mom taking me to a cute little Eisner Supermarket on 18th and Main Street. It became an Osco in 1983 and then closed once CVS bought the chain in 2006. It was such a neat little grocery store....in fact the original in and out doors still exist where the garden center was with Osco.
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