Joe Albertson
The Albertson Grocery Chain may have gotten its start in the Northwest but today this major player in the food industry is known across the country.
The dream of one man, Joe Albertson, born in 1906 in Yukon, Oklahoma, who at the age of three became an adopted son of Idaho has blossomed into a reality that has benefited literally hundreds of thousands of people. From the individuals who walk through the front doors of each Albertson grocery store to purchase goods ranging from foodstuffs to pharmaceuticals to the people who deliver the same items through the back doors, Joe Albertson has covered every facet of the grocery business and is an inspiration to future generations. Mr. Albertson, graduated from Caldwell High in Caldwell, Idaho. He went on to take two years of business courses at the College of Idaho. Little did he know then that in 1992 this same college would be renamed, Albertson College of Idaho, in his honor. Joe Albertson began his career as a clerk with the Safeway stores in 1927. By 1939, he was supervisor of 16 stores out of Ogden, Utah. After leaving the Safeway chain he decided to go into business for himself and in July of 1939 she had opened his first store in Boise at 16th and State Streets. This first store was the prototype of things to come. A bakery, magazine racks, homemade ice cream cones and emphasis on quality customer service made Albertson Grocery Stores unique. In 1951, Mr. Albertson assured in his largest store, 60,000 square feet and by 1957 the first in store “drug store” was introduced. Extensive employee training has set the Albertson chain ahead in customer service and they continue to maintain this quality in every new thing that is introduced. This "dream" has grown with the years and Idaho is proud to have a man such as Joe Albertson to look up to. Mr. Albertson passed away in January 1993. He was inducted into Idaho's Hall of Fame at the 1995 First Annual Induction Ceremony. By Dee Klenck |
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