Founding
Genuardi’s grew slowly at first, adding stores in 1958, 1961, and 1965. The market put its customers at the forefront of its business model in pursuit of quality products and services. As the business expanded more aggressively throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it added eight new stores in the 1970s and established Norristown Beef Company, a meat, dairy, and frozen food wholesaler, and Gen-Oaks, a grocery warehouse. In the 1980s, Genuardi’s added another eight new stores and established five Mad Grocers, a chain of discount limited assortment grocery stores. Throughout its expansion, Genuardi’s continually innovated toward customer convenience, aiming for extraordinary value tied to personalized services.[18]
In October 1990, having just opened their 24th establishment under the Genuardi’s Family Markets name and five Mad Grocers, the five Genuardi Brothers transferred ownership of the stores to the third generation of the family, which consisted of Charles, Skip, Tom Jr., Larry, Anthony, Joe Jr., David, Michael, and Jim (the Genuardi Cousins).[19][20]
Over the next decade, the business experienced its most aggressive growth, opening 20 new Genuardi’s Family Markets and acquiring Zagara’s Specialty Market to elevate its organic and prepared food program. This expansion included the addition of three more specialty stores. It also closed four Genuardi’s locations, the Mad Grocers chain, Gen-Oaks, and the Norristown Beef Company. Additionally, it undertook major remodeling in 10 stores. By the end of the decade, Genuardi’s had nearly quadrupled its business.
In 2001, the third generation of Genuardi’s Family Markets owners made the strategic decision to sell their grocery business to Safeway. The decision came about through a mutual family agreement to exit on their own terms. The Genuardi family ran their business the same way they sold it, with “Family Pride” and with their community close to their hearts.[1]
