Looking back in Springfield: The origins of A&P

The first local store opened in Springfield around 1902 at 26 Fountain Ave. and more stores opened over the years.

By 1912, the first A&P Economy Store opened and quickly overtook mom-and-pop corner stores.

In the 1930s, they began opening “super food markets,” with the first one at 46 E. Main St.

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They were known for in store brands like Eight O’Clock Coffee and Jane Parker bakery goods and for their Plaid Stamps savings program and rewards catalog.

Shown here is one of the local A&P supermarkets in 1966.