Thus, chains such as Lawson’s, 7-Eleven, and Open Pantry served a need, and did it with clean, well-lit and well-stocked stores that stayed open late.
Convenient Food Mart is another regional chain that – unlike some of its 1960s competitors – is still around. Above is a large ad that ran in the Lorain Journal on May 5, 1967.
"This concept was launched in the nation’s heartland and
immediately proved successful.”
In Lorain County, the local Convenient Food Marts had their roots in an Elyria dairy. As noted here on the website, "The original Company had its beginning in the year 1911, when Edward Seabold Sr. began delivering milk to homes on the West Side of Elyria. The milk came from the family farm on Telegraph Road. Ten-gallon cans were carried on a horse drawn wagon and milk was hand dipped at each home into the customer’s container. Delivery was made twice a day, due to the absence of refrigeration and pasteurization. The business was then known as Seabold Dairy.
In Lorain County, the local Convenient Food Marts had their roots in an Elyria dairy. As noted here on the website, "The original Company had its beginning in the year 1911, when Edward Seabold Sr. began delivering milk to homes on the West Side of Elyria. The milk came from the family farm on Telegraph Road. Ten-gallon cans were carried on a horse drawn wagon and milk was hand dipped at each home into the customer’s container. Delivery was made twice a day, due to the absence of refrigeration and pasteurization. The business was then known as Seabold Dairy.
"A few years later, the operation was moved to Lake Avenue
(now called North Gateway Boulevard) on the same land where the present Company
headquarters are located.
"In 1919, Edward was joined in the growing business by his
brother, Carl. The business was incorporated in 1932 as Elyria Dairies,
Inc., and the trade name “Sunshine Farms Dairy” was created.
To develop an additional market for Sunshine Farms Dairy
products, the Seabold brothers formed North Central Ohio Convenient Food Mart,
Inc. in 1964, and acquired the franchise for Convenient Food Mart stores. Convenient Food Mart opened its first store on July 12th, 1965 in Lorain, Ohio."
Even though the 1967 ad lists Hills Brothers Coffee (my parents’ favorite), I don’t think we ever shopped at Convenient Food Mart. The closest store to us was on Leavitt Road, near W. 21st Street. It was more convenient to visit the Lawson’s on Oberlin Avenue to pick up things we needed (such as dutch loaf).
At least Convenient Food Mart had something that neither Lawson’s or Open Pantry had: an advertising mascot – the customer who is king!
6 comments:
So different from what so-called "convenience" stores are today.
My parents owned and operated the Convenient Food Mart on the east side of Lorain over the bridge on East Erie from 1979-1986. It was a good store and fun first job working as a stock boy when I was in high school. My parents employed a lot of family and friends during that time. Thanks for the memory Dan...............
Hi Mike! Thanks for the nice reminisce. I should have mentioned that when I lived on the east side of Lorain in the 1980s and 90s, I did frequent that Convenient store, picking up that great Sunshine Farms milk. The store was always busy when I stopped in.
...One thing I will always remember from Convenient was their rotisserie chickens. Can still taste 'em.
Mike
Convenient Food Mart sold "large toss pillows" at $1.00 each?! Too funny.
Hello from the original “Seabolds” Dairy family.
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