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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area GROCERY STORES and Food Markets Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1960 - Food Fair supermarket at 8001 NW 27 Avenue, Miami
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1960 MDB&Z

1960 - Food Fair supermarket at 8001 NW 27 Avenue, Miami

Miami, Florida view map


This store was located on the east side of NW 27th Avenue, across the street to the east from the Northside Shopping Center on the west side.


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Jeff 07-Jun-2016 18:12
From what I remember reading in the 1980s, the Revlon Group was purchased by the heirs of the Food Fair/Pantry Pride Supermarkets after they sold off their grocery store holdings.
Rick Beeten 04-Apr-2015 14:09
I posted because I received a letter from the Social Security Adminstraion and it listed the address of 555 S.W. 12 Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. As far as I know, this Revlon address was closed as Revlon sold to Prudential. I hope this information will help to direct those who are looking for their retirement benefits.
Rick Beeten 04-Apr-2015 14:03
I am thinking that Pantry Pride sold to REVLON Group an then REVLON sold to Prudential Financial.....30 Scranton Office Park, Scranton, PA 18507-1789 Phone number: 1800-621-1089.
Guest 15-Jan-2015 14:50
Thanks Don, its nice going down memory lane. I didn't come from a well-to-do- family, 5 kids living in a 2 bed 1 bath house, my parents did the best they could. Growing up in my neighborhood there were always a lot of kids on our block. Playing baseball in the street, hide and seek, climbing trees, riding bikes, roller skating and dancing to the oldies. I went to Golden Drugs numerous times. They always gave away empty cigar boxes, wish I had saved some of them now. The two ladies working there were Elsie and Birdie and the druggist, forget his name, and a friendly deliver guy. Food Fair I would go and cash in coke bottles and go spend in Gulf 5&10 where the owner always kept an eye on shoppers. Also going to the carnivals at St James catholic church was a treat. Those days are a treasure. Thanks again
Don Boyd14-Jan-2015 16:14
Guest, I know where you are talking about and the only photos I have, so far, are of the Royal Castle on the corner of 7th Avenue and 125th Street. That has been turned into a Finga Lickin chicken restaurant. I also took a photo of Denmark's recently which looks all run down and I'll add that in the future. Thank you for mentioning the names of businesses in the area because maybe someone out there will say "hey, I have a photo of that!" and send it in to me and I'll post it. I saw a comment about Smitty's hardware a day or so ago in one of the "Old Miami" groups on Facebook. A gent mentioned a prank where they armed all the mousetraps in a box on the shelf at Smitty's Hardware and then waited for someone to pick one up and it snapped on their fingers. And others commented on shopping there. Thank you for posting.

Don
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Guest 13-Jan-2015 15:41
We lived close to Food Fair on nw 7th ave and 132 st, My brother worked there also, Have any photos of this store, also surrounding businesses that I went to as a child, Golden Drugs, Gulf 5 & 10, Johnnie's barber shop, Smitty's hardware, Denmark's stone. thanks
Steve 06-Sep-2014 22:28
Jenn,
Interesting that you mentioned 'greed and corruption' in the Food Fair/Pantry Pride organization. I heard things when I was young from my dad and some of his friends, and made some of my own observations. It did not surprise me when they closed up the stores. This was all Harrisburg, Hanover, York, and even some other areas on occasion. Their base was in Hbg. Both my dad and his best bud are long gone, RIP. I felt some sense of relief to see these things documented and accessible, as well as the capability to leave feedback/comments.
Thanks to all here, and good luck with the future!
Steve 11-Jan-2014 13:14
My dad was one of a few local (to central PA) men who were HVAC/commercial refrigeration technicians at Food Fair/Pantry Pride. He worked there from the early '60s until the mid to later '70s when the store closed the local outlets. I used to travel with him often, and was curious about his work...however, it got boring for me being so young at that time. I'll never forget those stores, or my dad. I still remember that one of the local stores was called 'number 3', and I went to school with another guy who's dad was the manager of #3. I always liked most of the guys my dad worked with, they were good at what they did.
ana lopez 07-May-2013 00:31
looking for a friend name Tony Giordano that worked in Path Mark 1851 Bruckner Blvd in the BRONK NY. my name is Ana Lopez and I worked in the same store with him .... any one that know about him please my e mail is..... ana.longo.flagler@hotmail.com
Don Boyd04-Jan-2012 07:05
Guest, thank you for posting that information about Mass Mutual handling retiree benefits for former Pantry Pride employees!

Don
Guest 03-Jan-2012 23:36
Mass Mutual The Blue Chip Company
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Springfield, MA 01111-0001

New Phone Number
1-800-775-4331
8am to 5pm EST

They handle all retiree benefits for those who worked for Pantry Pride, glad to be of help :)
Don Boyd01-Sep-2011 16:13
John, I hate to say this but have you typed "Pantry Pride Retirement Fund" into the Google search engine box? I came up with all kinds of sites that mention it and one site for a retirement fund evaluation firm that lists the Pantry Pride retirement fund. I don't have the time to do research for you and if you don't have the time either then I suggest you retain a law firm who will do it for you at big bucks per hour.

Don
Ed 02-Sep-2010 04:12
Does anyone know how to contact someone in the Friedlander family?
Guest 14-Jun-2010 03:03
My dad was the meat buyer for Food Fair/Pantry Pride....Richard Small
Cheryl Beitz 25-Mar-2010 14:49
I'm looking for photos of the Food Fair store in the Brookside Shopping Center in Newark, Delaware. My dad was the manager from 1958 until the mid-60's. From there he took over the new store on Basin Road. I checked with the Delaware Historical Association and they did not have any photos. I've commissioned someone to do a drawing of the outside of the store as a surprise present for my dad. Any help would be appreciated. In the meantime, I'm going to keep searching on-line.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Cheryl R. Beitz
Svano Ascani 14-Mar-2010 00:30
I'm looking for information on the Revlon Group, Inc. also so that I can draw my pension. The 555 SW 12th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL address given to me by the Social Security Administration is not their present address. Does anyone have their new address???
Cheryl 29-Jan-2010 21:39
has anyone found out where to obtain info about pension from Pantry Pride/Food Fair?
Wilberto Santiago 04-Dec-2009 15:07
I am also inquiring about the retirement for past employees. Does anyone have the number of Revlon for past employees of Pantry Pride/Food Fair? It is so hard to find the numbers. Jupiter, Florida.
Ed 07-Nov-2009 03:38
Still trying to locate Jay Sablosky -- step son of Sam Friedland
Any information appreciated.
Majestic 13-Aug-2009 18:28
Can anyone direct me to the teamsters Local Union that served Food Fair/Pantry Pride? My father was a long time employee and member and I'm trying to get some information regarding him. Thams
Guest 23-Jul-2009 16:36
Can anyone help me !!! I am trying to find a phone number to contact
Revlon in refrence to my retirement thru Pantry Pride/Food Fair stores. If anyone has any info. please let me know, it's almost impossible to find any info.
Ed 04-Jul-2009 13:44
Sam Friedlander had a step-son name of Jay Sablosky, who stayed wiih my parents one year to finish high school in West Palm Beach, when his parents went back to Phila. Does anyone know where to locate Jay Sablosky?
David Eisenberg 02-Jul-2009 15:50
Jenn
Did you know the Cook family in Abington?
I think Dad was a Penn Fruit or Food Fair exec; they moved to Chicago I think.
I am trying to track down Robert and Debbie Cook - the kids - in their early 60's now.
David
jerry mckellar 14-May-2009 01:40
pantry pride was a great place to work .I worked there for over 20 years.
I worked with alot of great people......my name is Jerry mckellar
I can be contacted at mckellar74@aol.com
Steve 20-Jan-2009 20:25
I received a request today from someone trying to find a past flame who was named Judy Jessel at the time and was a receptionist for the new Food Fair location (around 1980-81) on Andrews Avenue north of Cypress Creek road. I think a guy named Gentry was the exec at the time. We built the building, and one of our subcontractors employees fell in love with her. He tracked me down in an effort to try to find her.
Jeff 25-Nov-2008 22:19
I always heard the name "Friedlander." My Dad worked for them out of Miami, but over in Freeport, Grand Bahama. He ran Gray's Poultry, owned by the Food Fair folks, and supplied chicken to all of Grand Bahama and some to Nassau. Manny Ansel was the guy my Dad reported to. I know there was plenty of money in the 70s - we used to ride on private planes with the Food Fair folks. In Freeport, there was Food Fair and Winn Dixie, and that was it, so Food Fair had at leat a half-share of the business. The Food Fair store was located back of Churchill Square, by the BK and near the Post Office.
Jenn Mentzer 06-Jul-2008 15:25
Oddly I was Googling around for Food Fair... My grandfather was brother inlaw to Sam Friedland(not Friedlander) Fortunately my grandfather was out of the biz before all the greed and corruption started.. I know they were trendsetters in their industry at that time. and revolutionized the markets as we know it today. I was on the Philly end of the family... Too bad all that greed spoiled it for the generations to come..!1 Jenn Mentzer
Robbin P. Learned 04-Jul-2008 20:00
My Mom, Catherine Learned, Deceased since 2000, Worked For Food Fair, and Pantry Pride, at The Miami Warehouse/ Offices, on N. W. 32nd Avenue, and 71st Street, in front of Burdines Warehouse. To everyone there, she was known as Cathy. She was in Charge of the Mail Room, and her Boss, was MR. Murphy. Of course, The C. E. O. , and Owner, was MR. Sam Friedlander, and Their Headquarters, was in Philadelphia. From the Miami Warehouse, The Trucks served South Fla., and The West Coast of Fla. also. The Warehouse, Had Trucks coming in and Leaving there, 24 Hours a Day, and theGuard Gate, was one of the Busiest Places, I've ever seen. My Mom Retired, After 35 years of service, and Got Her Retirement Thru Revlon. Her last Working Days with the Company, were in Pompano, at a Company Office there. She Loved Her Company, and Her Job. For Years, They were a Great Food Chain, But Family Problems, ect., Were Their Demise. Oh, and Besides Miami, They Had Huge Warehouses, in Philly, And in Jacksonville. And the Miami Warehouse and Southern Division Offices there, Had A Big, and Wonderful Employee Cafeteria, I know, I used To Eat There with my mom. May The Food Fair/ Pantry Pride Fallen Empire, and My Mom, and MR. SAm Friedlander, all REST IN PEACE !!!!!!!
Guest 27-Feb-2008 03:02
Cindy I do remember your Dad. I worked for Pantry Pride for more years than I care to remember! LOL I worked in Mr. Bimontes' district and Mr. Glasbergs". I was Head Cashier at #262,293,213,276,also the one on Flagler & LeJune I can't remember the number. I think my favorite was 224 on Alton road,also at 266 which we called the "monster". I can never say anything but good about my years with PP and the Friedland family.I started with them inClaymont,Del. and Upper Darby, PA back in the 50's,transfered to FL in 73. Many beautiful memories. I now live in NC . I moved here after my husband passed away but I still miss FL terribly. Hello to all my former co-workers. Arlene (Crecco)Gray akeyboardlady@bellsouth.net
Dianne 09-Jan-2008 16:03
Jeff, oh, my gosh, I can still recall the bad experience while working there; I was so young and in high school. The manager, Raul, would send me down to check around my booth to see if I dropped money, while gone he would take $5 or $10 or $20 out of my till. I can remember him saying "Oh, gosh, you're short again...." The day I caught him was when I put the tray on my hip and told him my tray was going with me; it had to have been the Holy Spirit who enlighten me.
Cindy 01-Jan-2008 21:09
My Dad is CJ Mac Manus, 91 years old now, and worked for Food Fair for about 40 years as a V.P. Pantry Pride & Foof Fair. If any one remembers him, you can call me at 772-545-8530 or email kc2step@comcast.net ~ Happy New Year!
Guest 30-Sep-2007 10:26
Loved reading your posts...my dad worked for both Food Fair and Pantry Pride for 30 years. First at the store on Coral Way and 3rd Avenue, then on Bird and 92nd Avenue, followed by the Dadeland store (remember that one?) and finally in the Gables on Ponce... He has always referred to the family as the Friedlanders. He worked with a lot of teenagers over the years, his name is Bob Vance in case any of you worked with him.
Guest 20-Aug-2007 16:42
JANE I worked at Food Fair during my senior year at Miami Jackson 1952... 17th ave and 36th street store... great memories then.....
Jeff 25-Jul-2007 03:42
No problem, Dave... and I've heard both Friedland and Friedlander used... so I'm actually quite confused as to which one is right...

Either way, your memory of that Food Fair as a Carl's Market helps reinforce the story of the growth of the Food Fair chain by their acquistion of Carl Weinkle's stores.
Dave 22-Jul-2007 16:06
OOPS! Sorry Jeff, I see you were talking about Miami Beach not Miami. My apologies. I do believe the name was Friedland, not Friedlander though.
Dave 22-Jul-2007 13:37
Jeff: I grew up on SW 10th Street and 19th Avenue, just 2 blocks from the 19th Avenuye store in the 1950s. I am surprised to hear you call it the rich folks store. We were a middle class predominantly jewish neighborhood. My neighbor, Mr. Mermelstein was the kosher butcher on 8th Street. The jewish families worshipped at Temple Beth El at 500 SW 17th Avenue. I used to go to Food Fair all the time to make money by returning soda pop bottles. So did all my buddies. It was a very nice store, but not ritzy in anyway. It was originally a Carl's Market, but that was before my time.
Roberta 21-Jul-2007 19:37
Jeff..you didn't mention the Food Fair up on Bird Road, aka S.W. 40th Street. I still have the Food Fair needle packs that were in my mother's sewing basket, which I also still have, all these years hence!
Jeff 17-Jul-2007 00:40
The Friedlanders brought Food Fair down from up North around 1949. One of their first stores was located right in downtown Miami near the courthouse, and another early one was at the bend of Coral Way by about NW 3rd Avenue.

In short order they also struck a deal to purchased the Carl's Markets from Carl Weinkle (of Weinkle's Liquors) with the stipulation that they keep the Carl's name active for a specified time.

This made for an odd situation on Miami Beach, for they had a brand-spanking-new store on Alton Road and 19th Street, and the Carl's Market at 17th and Alton. Eventually, the Carl's was renamed Food Fair, and you had two Food Fair stores operating within two blocks of each other.

The rumor was that people figured that the "rich" residents shopped at the 19th Street store, while the "working class" shopped at 17th Street. The 17th Street location closed before I moved here in 1963.

One thing that reflected the psychology of the times, was that whenever a neighborhood shifted from primarily white to primarily black, the Food Fair store closed. Some examples of this were the stores on 36th Street, 54th Street and Biscayne, 74th Street and Biscayne...

By the early 70's, Mr. Friedlander had turned the operation of Food Fair over to his sons - and similar to the fate of Royal Castle - they ran it into the ground. The chain emerged from bankruptcy under a new name: Pantry Pride.

Pantry Pride chugged along for a while, but never regained the popularity the old Food Fair had, due [for the most part] by the way the Friedlander kids ran things... Eventually they tire of their grocery and drug store holdings, and sold off everything to purchase Revlon.

Pantry Pride was "reworked" into Sun Stores, Wooley's and Malone and Hyde, but each incarnation was progressively worse. Mercifully, they folded altogether.

The Friedlanders were relatives (through marriage) of the Cowans - who built and owned the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood.

The Friedlanders also were the original owners of the 163rd Street Shopping Center. In fact, Food Fair ws one of its "anchor" stores. The shopping center was originally planned for 125th Street in North Miami, but the residents - in their infinite wisdom - rejected it...
Carlos Talavera 06-Jul-2007 03:12
I think that this is the Salvation Army store #5 now.