Acme Fresh Market
Encyclopedia
Akron, Ohio grocery chain. For the unrelated Philadelphia-area chain, see Acme Markets.
Acme Fresh Market is a grocery store
chain with 16 locations in Northeast Ohio serving Portage
, Stark
, Summit
, & Cuyahoga
Counties. It has been locally owned since 1891.
, started in the grocery business when he gained control of his brother’s local store. In 1891, he opened his own store in Akron, called Albrecht's Grocery. After a visit to Philadelphia, and seeing their local "Acme" grocery chain, Albrecht soon renamed his small corner grocery store to "Acme". He also changed his business to conduct only cash sales. More Acme Cash Stores soon opened around the Akron area, reaching 40 locations by 1918. After ceasing home-delivery operations, Albrecht renamed his stores once again to “Acme Cash Basket Stores.” Acme grew to over 100 stores, both large and small, by the 1930s.
The Great Depression and World War II
brought a decline in consumer behavior, and caused Acme to halt its expansion. Following the war, Acme began to experiment in the Supermarket
business, opening their first such location in 1952. In 1966, the 75th anniversary of the business, the last of the small corner stores was closed.
In 1965, Acme opened a subsidiary
retail chain called Click. The Click stores were department store
s with a full sized Acme grocery store under one roof. The first Acme-Click store was in Stow (currently Fresh Market #17). In the 1970s, Acme joined with Youngfellow Pharmacy to open Y-Mart stores, a chain of pharmacy
/convenience store
s similar to Walgreens
. After new competition entered the area, the Click stores were renamed Acme Super Centers in the early 1990s. The Y-Mart stores were renamed Acme Express in 1996. At the end of the 1990s, the Super Centers and Express stores were closed. Some of the Super Centers were converted into Acme Fresh Markets, while others were sold. The Acme Express stores were sold to CVS/pharmacy. This was part of the company's effort to downsize and rebrand the remaining stores as Acme Fresh Market.
There are currently fifteen Acme Fresh Market stores, one franchise store, an additional pharmacy, as well as two RSVP Food and Party Outlet locations.
Acme has a long tradition of keeping its stores up-to-date and in good working order. From the mid-2000s to the present, many of the older stores have undergone various renovations. These projects were to help modernize the facilities and to streamline and improve customer experience. The most recent renovations were to the Stow location in 2011, which included a redesigned lobby and parking lot. Other remodel projects in the past five years were at Ellet, North Canton, Bailey Road, Kent, and Kenmore.
On July 6, 2006, one of Acme's competitors, Tops Markets, announced it was leaving Northeast Ohio and seeking buyers for its 46 stores. Eight locations, some of them originally operated as Finast
, are in the Akron area. Acme President Steven T. Albrecht indicated to the Akron Beacon Journal
that the company was going to "review the Tops Stores" to see if any "fit Acme's goals" Acme No. 11, located in Tallmadge, relocated to one of these former Tops stores across the street on May 19, 2007. On December 4, 2007, Acme purchased another Tops location in Parma, Ohio
, which had been empty for one year. The new store opened on May 3, 2008 as Acme No. 20.
In November 2009, Acme opened a new pharmacy inside the Akron General Health and Wellness Center in Stow. Designated Acme No. 30, the pharmacy continues the partnership between Acme and Akron General.
stores to offer gasoline discounts. The program first launched at the Parma location, and the rest of the chain followed in May 2009. Shoppers earn rewards for buying select products throughout the store. The rewards are in dollar and cent amounts off the total gasoline bill (not per gallon). Along with the Acme Fresh Market Savings card, shoppers carry a Fuel Rewards card, which is used at the pump to redeem the credits earned.
and beer
. Seven locations also have State Liquor licenses.
In 2011, Acme started the "Mix-a-Six" program in the beer aisle. This is an empty six-pack carrier that customers can fill with six bottles from a selection of craft beers.
Later that same year, Acme introduced Growler stations at some of its stores. These stations feature several craft beers on tap, which are dispensed into customer-purchased Acme beer jugs.
Acme also offers store tours to children to help promote a healthy lifestyle.
The Stow, North Canton, and Ellet stores offered free childcare while shopping, known as Kids' Corners. This service was discontinued in 2011.
Acme Fresh Market is a grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
chain with 16 locations in Northeast Ohio serving Portage
Portage County, Ohio
Portage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 152,061 at the 2000 Census and 161,419 at the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Ravenna. Portage County is named for the portage between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers...
, Stark
Stark County, Ohio
Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 375,586. It is included in the Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Summit
Summit County, Ohio
Summit County is an urban county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 542,899. In the 2010 Census the population was 541,781. Its county seat is Akron...
, & Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. It is the most populous county in Ohio; as of the 2010 census, the population was 1,280,122. Its county seat is Cleveland. Cuyahoga County is part of Greater Cleveland, a metropolitan area, and Northeast Ohio, a...
Counties. It has been locally owned since 1891.
Locations
15 company-owned stores and one franchise- #1 AkronAkron, OhioAkron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
; Organics - #2 Ellet; State Liquor, Clinic, Jerry's Barbershop
- #4 HudsonHudson, OhioHudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,262 at the 2010 census. It is an affluent exurban community and is part of the Akron, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area...
; State liquor, Organics - #6 NortonNorton, OhioNorton is a city in Summit and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 11,523 at the 2000 census.The Summit County portion of Norton is part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion in Wayne County is part of the Wooster Micropolitan Statistical...
; State liquor - #7 KentKent, OhioKent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
; Organics - #10 Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,374 people, 21,655 households, and 13,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,932.9 people per square mile . There were 22,727 housing units at an average density of 889.7 per square mile...
- #11 TallmadgeTallmadge, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 16,390 people, 6,273 households, and 4,711 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,173.9 people per square mile . There were 6,494 housing units at an average density of 465.1 per square mile...
; State liquor - #12 Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,374 people, 21,655 households, and 13,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,932.9 people per square mile . There were 22,727 housing units at an average density of 889.7 per square mile...
; Organics, State liquor, Growler Station - #14 Coventry TwpCoventry Township, Summit County, OhioCoventry Township is one of the nine townships of Summit County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 10,900 people in the township.-Geography:Coventry Township is located in southern Summit County...
; Acme Fuel Center, Little Cake Shop, Catering Center, Growler Station - #15 Bath TownshipBath Township, Summit County, OhioBath Township is one of the nine townships of Summit County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 9,635 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the western part of the county, it borders the following townships and cities:...
; State Liquor, Organics - #16 North CantonNorth Canton, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 16,369 people, 7,114 households, and 4,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,697.1 people per square mile . There were 7,506 housing units at an average density of 1,236.8 per square mile...
; State liquor, Organics, Growler Station - #17 StowStow, OhioStow is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 32,139 at the 2000 census and 33,899 as of 2008. It is a suburban community that is part of the Akron metropolitan area. Stow is located adjacent to several other suburban communities in Summit and Portage Counties...
; Clinic, Organics - #18 KenmoreKenmore, Akron, OhioKenmore is a community in southwest Akron, Ohio. It is bisected by Interstate 277 and U.S. Route 224. The current mayor of Akron is Don Plusquellic...
- #19 CantonCanton, OhioCanton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- #20 Parma, OhioParma, OhioParma is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is the largest suburb of Cleveland and the seventh largest city in the state of Ohio...
- #30 StowStow, OhioStow is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 32,139 at the 2000 census and 33,899 as of 2008. It is a suburban community that is part of the Akron metropolitan area. Stow is located adjacent to several other suburban communities in Summit and Portage Counties...
; Pharmacy, located inside the Akron General Health & Wellness center - #90 "Henry's Acme," AkronAkron, OhioAkron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
History
Fred W. Albrecht, a native of Massillon, OhioMassillon, Ohio
Massillon is a city located in Stark County in the U.S. state of Ohio, approximately 8 miles to the west of Canton, Ohio, 20 miles south of Akron, Ohio, and 50 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio. The population was 32,149 at the 2010 census....
, started in the grocery business when he gained control of his brother’s local store. In 1891, he opened his own store in Akron, called Albrecht's Grocery. After a visit to Philadelphia, and seeing their local "Acme" grocery chain, Albrecht soon renamed his small corner grocery store to "Acme". He also changed his business to conduct only cash sales. More Acme Cash Stores soon opened around the Akron area, reaching 40 locations by 1918. After ceasing home-delivery operations, Albrecht renamed his stores once again to “Acme Cash Basket Stores.” Acme grew to over 100 stores, both large and small, by the 1930s.
The Great Depression and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
brought a decline in consumer behavior, and caused Acme to halt its expansion. Following the war, Acme began to experiment in the Supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
business, opening their first such location in 1952. In 1966, the 75th anniversary of the business, the last of the small corner stores was closed.
In 1965, Acme opened a subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
retail chain called Click. The Click stores were department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
s with a full sized Acme grocery store under one roof. The first Acme-Click store was in Stow (currently Fresh Market #17). In the 1970s, Acme joined with Youngfellow Pharmacy to open Y-Mart stores, a chain of pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
/convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...
s similar to Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
. After new competition entered the area, the Click stores were renamed Acme Super Centers in the early 1990s. The Y-Mart stores were renamed Acme Express in 1996. At the end of the 1990s, the Super Centers and Express stores were closed. Some of the Super Centers were converted into Acme Fresh Markets, while others were sold. The Acme Express stores were sold to CVS/pharmacy. This was part of the company's effort to downsize and rebrand the remaining stores as Acme Fresh Market.
There are currently fifteen Acme Fresh Market stores, one franchise store, an additional pharmacy, as well as two RSVP Food and Party Outlet locations.
Expansion and Renovation
As Acme moved away from non-food items and into the Fresh Market branding, many of the stores were remodeled and renovated. One of the first was the Stow location in 1999, which was reduced in size from a Super Center (No. 50) to a Fresh Market (No. 17).Acme has a long tradition of keeping its stores up-to-date and in good working order. From the mid-2000s to the present, many of the older stores have undergone various renovations. These projects were to help modernize the facilities and to streamline and improve customer experience. The most recent renovations were to the Stow location in 2011, which included a redesigned lobby and parking lot. Other remodel projects in the past five years were at Ellet, North Canton, Bailey Road, Kent, and Kenmore.
Finast
Finast was a retail supermarket brand that existed in the northeastern United States until being absorbed by Edwards and its Dutch parent Royal Ahold in the mid-1990s. Finast was an acronym for First National Stores. Despite the acronym, many referred to the store as "The First National"...
, are in the Akron area. Acme President Steven T. Albrecht indicated to the Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Beacon Journal
The Akron Beacon Journal is a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning morning newspaper in Akron, Ohio, United States, and published by Black Press Ltd.. It is the sole daily newspaper in Akron and is distributed throughout Northeast Ohio. The paper places a strong emphasis on local news and business...
that the company was going to "review the Tops Stores" to see if any "fit Acme's goals" Acme No. 11, located in Tallmadge, relocated to one of these former Tops stores across the street on May 19, 2007. On December 4, 2007, Acme purchased another Tops location in Parma, Ohio
Parma, Ohio
Parma is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is the largest suburb of Cleveland and the seventh largest city in the state of Ohio...
, which had been empty for one year. The new store opened on May 3, 2008 as Acme No. 20.
In November 2009, Acme opened a new pharmacy inside the Akron General Health and Wellness Center in Stow. Designated Acme No. 30, the pharmacy continues the partnership between Acme and Akron General.
Savings card
The Acme Fresh Market Savings card is used to receive special discounts and sales throughout the store, and to earn Fuel Rewards.. The card comes in both a wallet size and a keychain size. It currently features a mixed berry background.Fuel Rewards
In March 2009, Acme Fresh Market teamed with local Circle KCircle K
Circle K is an international chain of convenience stores, founded in 1951, in El Paso, Texas, United States. It is owned and operated by the Canadian-based Alimentation Couche-Tard.-Overview:...
stores to offer gasoline discounts. The program first launched at the Parma location, and the rest of the chain followed in May 2009. Shoppers earn rewards for buying select products throughout the store. The rewards are in dollar and cent amounts off the total gasoline bill (not per gallon). Along with the Acme Fresh Market Savings card, shoppers carry a Fuel Rewards card, which is used at the pump to redeem the credits earned.
Walk-in Clinic
In 2006, several stores introduced QuickClinics. These small clinics offered patients exams and healthcare with a nurse practitioner. Two years later, ownership of the clinics switched to Akron General. After Akron General stopped accepting insurance at these locations in 2010, the clinics were shut down. The rights to the clinics were purchased by a private company, and reopened operations at the Ellet location. The Stow location reopened following an extensive remodel in 2011.Adult Beverages
The Acme stores have a wide variety of wineWine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
and beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
. Seven locations also have State Liquor licenses.
In 2011, Acme started the "Mix-a-Six" program in the beer aisle. This is an empty six-pack carrier that customers can fill with six bottles from a selection of craft beers.
Later that same year, Acme introduced Growler stations at some of its stores. These stations feature several craft beers on tap, which are dispensed into customer-purchased Acme beer jugs.
For Children and Parents
Acme's mascots, Buck the Dog, and his "girlfriend" Buffy, frequently visit the stores and local events. Store managers hand out Kid Dollars, featuring Buck's picture, to the young shoppers. The stores often put on events at holidays for children, including Breakfast with Santa Claus and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny.Acme also offers store tours to children to help promote a healthy lifestyle.
The Stow, North Canton, and Ellet stores offered free childcare while shopping, known as Kids' Corners. This service was discontinued in 2011.
Photos
| Acme No. 4 | Acme No. 7 | Acme No. 11 | Acme No. 14 | Acme No. 14 Fuel Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Hudson | Kent | Tallmadge | Portage Lakes | Portage Lakes |
| Acme No. 16 | Acme No. 17 | Acme No. 18 | Acme No. 19 | |
| North Canton | Stow | Kenmore (Before Remodel) |
Canton |