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Fresh Preserves: A&P Historical Society

When your newest sales vehicle is actually 80 years old, you know you've traveled a long way. Specifically, it's a 1928 Ford Model A truck, purchased by A&P here recently and refurbished to resemble the fleet of shiny red delivery vehicles the retailer used during the 1920s and 1930s. A&P today rolls out the truck complete with a load of branded groceries in classic packaging for company

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

December 8, 2008

2 Min Read
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JOHN SPRINGER

MONTVALE, N.J. — When your newest sales vehicle is actually 80 years old, you know you've traveled a long way.

Specifically, it's a 1928 Ford Model A truck, purchased by A&P here recently and refurbished to resemble the fleet of shiny red delivery vehicles the retailer used during the 1920s and 1930s. A&P today rolls out the truck — complete with a load of branded groceries in classic packaging — for company and community events.

The project was conceived and overseen by a group A&P's own employees who have taken an interest in studying and preserving the history of the company.

“I've always been into classic automobiles — that's what started my interest in history,” Craig Grybowski, who works in the marketing department at A&P and serves an unpaid role as the president of the A&P Historical Society, said in an interview with SN.

Grybowski has served as president of the society for about a decade. The group was founded by two of his colleagues in 1996 who felt there was value in embracing the company's rich history — and a dearth of awareness of it.

The A&P Historical Society maintains a collection of historic photographs and company memorabilia, ranging from die-cast toys to coffee mugs bearing the logo of the failed WEO discount store, to classic product packages, employee uniforms and company documents. It has staged a number of historic museum openings and is in the process of planning exhibits in 2009 to coincide with the retailer's 150th anniversary.

The group maintains a website where members can discuss history and exchange research questions. It also tackles large projects like the automobile purchase. When a Philadelphia-based member noted that an old industrial building still bore a sign identifying it as the A&P Philadelphia Bakery, the group had the 800-pound sign removed and installed inside the lobby of the Montvale headquarters.

A&P's history, according to Grybowski, is a story not only of retailing, but of businesses including manufacturing, transportation, food, product branding, building and publishing. As a retailer that at one time resided in small and large towns across the country, A&P has a special place in America's consciousness, he added.

“It wasn't only a grocery store; it was synonymous with the grocery store,” Grybowski said. “I hear from people all over the country who grew up with A&P. You can't meet anyone with parents or grandparents across the country who doesn't have a memory of shopping there, and has fond memories of going into the stores and smelling fresh-ground coffee.”

About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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