That is just insane to think about. What kind of place is that? This seems to contradict much of what I thought about supermarkets in the past and their offering. To have this kind of merchandise in the 60s no less is just wild to me.
Yeah right? That was my reaction. There's a whole early wave of supercenter-type stores and crazy supermarkets that are basically forgotten. (Walmart was almost the most *recent* retailer to introduce a supercenter concept). I find this stuff so cool, I'm glad other people do too.
As one of those middle class military familes you mentioned in the article, I pass through Ward's Corner fairly often. Really interesting history to the place, and it's obvious from casual inspeciton it's well past its prime. I've heard a lot of the natives bemoan how Ward's Corner has seemingly been mismanaged for decades. One cool tidbit that I will think you find interesting given your enjoyment of food chain architecture; the area is home to what is clearly a 70s era Taco Bell building. It's been vacant for years at this point, but the building still stands (and had a For Lease sign in the window last I saw). Given the design of the building, it was probably open at the same time as the Giant store. https://maps.app.goo.gl/L1VRAh14CYPLFebA7
That's the third distinct "Giant" grocery store brand I'm aware of - basically in adjacent states too. DC area's Giant, Pennsylvania's Giant and now this one. The former two eventually became part of the same conglomerate, but still have distinct brands/operations.
That is just insane to think about. What kind of place is that? This seems to contradict much of what I thought about supermarkets in the past and their offering. To have this kind of merchandise in the 60s no less is just wild to me.
Yeah right? That was my reaction. There's a whole early wave of supercenter-type stores and crazy supermarkets that are basically forgotten. (Walmart was almost the most *recent* retailer to introduce a supercenter concept). I find this stuff so cool, I'm glad other people do too.
As one of those middle class military familes you mentioned in the article, I pass through Ward's Corner fairly often. Really interesting history to the place, and it's obvious from casual inspeciton it's well past its prime. I've heard a lot of the natives bemoan how Ward's Corner has seemingly been mismanaged for decades. One cool tidbit that I will think you find interesting given your enjoyment of food chain architecture; the area is home to what is clearly a 70s era Taco Bell building. It's been vacant for years at this point, but the building still stands (and had a For Lease sign in the window last I saw). Given the design of the building, it was probably open at the same time as the Giant store. https://maps.app.goo.gl/L1VRAh14CYPLFebA7
That's the third distinct "Giant" grocery store brand I'm aware of - basically in adjacent states too. DC area's Giant, Pennsylvania's Giant and now this one. The former two eventually became part of the same conglomerate, but still have distinct brands/operations.