Most consumers today don’t remember, and cannot imagine, a time when there were no grocery store chains. Despite that, Americans are still intrigued by the “mom and pop” individually-owned grocery stores of the past.
Some of us remember them because of stories told to us by our parents – such as about how friendly Mr. Jewett, owner of the Sellwood Grocery on 13th Avenue, was. He knew the first name of every child in the neighborhood, and was the first to help out any distressed housewife needing help deciding on what to prepare for dinner. He worked at the Sellwood Grocery for over 40 years. Who works that long anywhere, anymore?
Then there was Poole’s grocery at 17th and S.E. Clatsop, where kids were sent by their mothers to grab a box of Jell-O, or something else needed for dinner? I’ve been told Poole always had a stick of candy or a big pickle to present to youngsters dropping in…