Red Owl was a grocery store chain in the United States, headquartered in Hopkins, Minnesota. Founded in 1922, it was initially owned and operated by a private investment firm affiliated with General Mills, and purchased in 1968 by Gamble-Skogmo.[1]
Red Owl started as a coal company in the 1920s.[2]
It opened its first store in Rochester, Minnesota.[3] Eventually there were stores throughout the upper Midwest, with one having opened in Bismarck, North Dakota, in 1927.[4] The chain briefly expanded into the Chicago area starting in late 1959, but in 1963 sold its Chicago area operations to National Tea Company. In 1980, Gamble-Skogmo was acquired by Wickes Corporation, which sold the chain to three executives of the chain in January 1986.[5] At that time, the company operated 441 stores in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North and South Dakota.
In December 1988, the rights to the Red Owl name were obtained by grocery wholesaler Supervalu Inc.,[6] along with its warehouse and distribution operations.[7] Supervalu phased out the Red Owl name.
An independent grocery store in Saint Paul, MN, Cooper's Foods, was redecorated as a Red Owl to be featured in the 2009 Coen Brothers movie A Serious Man.
In Season 3, Episode 1 of FX's Fargo a Red Owl is featured.
In Season 9, Episode 9 of the Sci-Fi Channel'sMystery Science Theater 3000 which features the 1980 Italian film The Pumaman, Mike uses some of the movie's music which resembles commercial theme music to make up a jingle with the phrase "Dick's Red Owl, selection and service!". Mystery Science Theatre 3000 originated in Hopkins, MN, which was Red Owl's headquarters.
Fresh and Canned Groceries, Produce, Bakery, Deli, Liquor
Number of employees
6
Website
masonsredowl.com
Founded on February 1, 1969, Masons Red Owl was the first franchised Red Owl store in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Three years later, the owners, Mervin and Jared Mason, purchased a second Red Owl franchise in De Pere, Wisconsin. At that time, Masons Red Owl was incorporated from a partnership into the MEJ Corporation.
By 1985, the Green Bay area witnessed the introduction of several other grocery stores, including a Cub Foods and a Copps Food Center. At this point, the De Pere location was sold and efforts were refocused on the original franchise. In 1988, SuperValu Corporation purchased Red Owl's Green Bay warehouse, making it the supplier for Masons Red Owl.
In 1989 the store expanded to include a full-service deli department, and remained in 2009 as one of the smallest full-service grocery retailers.
In the late 60's early 70's Red Owl opened a small chain of family centers,[9] similar to what Grand Union Supermarkets did with their Grand Way stores.
Sago, Renata (17 May 2019). "These Bygone Supermarkets Live On in Our Memories". Marketplace. American Public Media. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
January 07, 2023
retail, chain, grocery, store, chain, united, states, headquartered, hopkins, minnesota, founded, 1922, initially, owned, operated, private, investment, firm, affiliated, with, general, mills, purchased, 1968, gamble, skogmo, brand, spice, tins, contents, hist. Red Owl was a grocery store chain in the United States headquartered in Hopkins Minnesota Founded in 1922 it was initially owned and operated by a private investment firm affiliated with General Mills and purchased in 1968 by Gamble Skogmo 1 Red Owl brand spice tins Contents 1 History 2 In popular culture 3 Masons Red Owl 4 Red Owl Family Center 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditRed Owl started as a coal company in the 1920s 2 It opened its first store in Rochester Minnesota 3 Eventually there were stores throughout the upper Midwest with one having opened in Bismarck North Dakota in 1927 4 The chain briefly expanded into the Chicago area starting in late 1959 but in 1963 sold its Chicago area operations to National Tea Company In 1980 Gamble Skogmo was acquired by Wickes Corporation which sold the chain to three executives of the chain in January 1986 5 At that time the company operated 441 stores in Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota Iowa and North and South Dakota In December 1988 the rights to the Red Owl name were obtained by grocery wholesaler Supervalu Inc 6 along with its warehouse and distribution operations 7 Supervalu phased out the Red Owl name In popular culture EditFrom 1973 to 1977 the title sequence of The Mary Tyler Moore Show featured the lead character in a Red Owl meat department An independent grocery store in Saint Paul MN Cooper s Foods was redecorated as a Red Owl to be featured in the 2009 Coen Brothers movie A Serious Man In Season 3 Episode 1 of FX s Fargo a Red Owl is featured In Season 9 Episode 9 of the Sci Fi Channel s Mystery Science Theater 3000 which features the 1980 Italian film The Pumaman Mike uses some of the movie s music which resembles commercial theme music to make up a jingle with the phrase Dick s Red Owl selection and service Mystery Science Theatre 3000 originated in Hopkins MN which was Red Owl s headquarters A pharmacy named Value Drug Mart in Drumheller Alberta Canada was redecorated as a Red Owl food store for the 2020 film Let Him Go 8 Masons Red Owl EditMasons Red OwlTypeGrocery Convenience StoreIndustryRetail Grocery HeadquartersGreen Bay WIKey peopleMervin and Jared MasonProductsFresh and Canned Groceries Produce Bakery Deli LiquorNumber of employees6Websitemasonsredowl comFounded on February 1 1969 Masons Red Owl was the first franchised Red Owl store in Green Bay Wisconsin Three years later the owners Mervin and Jared Mason purchased a second Red Owl franchise in De Pere Wisconsin At that time Masons Red Owl was incorporated from a partnership into the MEJ Corporation By 1985 the Green Bay area witnessed the introduction of several other grocery stores including a Cub Foods and a Copps Food Center At this point the De Pere location was sold and efforts were refocused on the original franchise In 1988 SuperValu Corporation purchased Red Owl s Green Bay warehouse making it the supplier for Masons Red Owl In 1989 the store expanded to include a full service deli department and remained in 2009 as one of the smallest full service grocery retailers Masons Red Owl faces competition in the Green Bay area from other grocers including Woodman s Wal Mart ALDI and Festival Foods Red Owl Family Center EditIn the late 60 s early 70 s Red Owl opened a small chain of family centers 9 similar to what Grand Union Supermarkets did with their Grand Way stores See also EditGamble Skogmo General MillsReferences Edit Restored Red Owl aims high Supermarket news Nov 17 1986 http www hopkinsmnhistoricalsociety org wp content gallery Red Owl 20052137 jpg Red Owl s through History http www societyoforion org Images photos RedOwlHistory jpg dead link Red Owl Grocery Store at BismarckPride com Executives buy Red Owl Stores Milwaukee Sentinel Jan 28 1986 Red Owl Logo Returns to LeRoy Grocery Laura Gossman Rochester Post Bulletin January 7 2009 SUPER VALU TO BUY PORTION OF RED OWL STORES INC Associated Press December 2 1988 Retrieved November 13 2014 Where was Let Him Go filmed The House amp ALL the Filming Locations 50 Years Ago Red Owl Family Center breaks ground http m startribune com gone 30 years red owl supermarkets still live on in its employees memories 471333454 External links EditMasons Red Owl website Stewart MN Red Owl website Official Red Owl logo Sago Renata 17 May 2019 These Bygone Supermarkets Live On in Our Memories Marketplace American Public Media Retrieved 18 May 2019 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Red Owl retail chain amp oldid 1109793118, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
