Freed's Supermarket
Owner: James Freed
We're here in the small town of Gilbertsville, PA (population 4800) to tour this small independent supermarket that's kind of off the beaten path. The store is about 16,000 square feet, and is rather set back from the road. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if that building in front which I believe is now an antique store was the original Freed's Market, since this store has apparently been around since 1953.
The store bears some similarities (especially outside) to 1950s-era ACMEs, but I don't believe this was ever actually an ACME. And notice that this decor is very similar to what we saw in Weaver Markets, but they are two different decor packages.
Produce lines the first aisle with meat and deli on the back wall. Frozen foods and dairy are on the right side, with bread and chips in the front right corner.
It's not a particularly exciting supermarket interior, but it's very clean and well-maintained. As we can see in certain departments, some refrigerators and other fixtures have been updated.
The pink is an interesting color choice, but at least it's consistent throughout the store.
New freezer cases, or at least relatively new. Looks like some lightbulbs need to be replaced, but the rest of the maintenance around the store has been very good.
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Service butcher and deli in the back. There's no seafood or bakery, but that's to be expected in a smaller store like this.
Dairy cases lining the last aisle here. I like the cutout pictures in the decor, although I think it all needs to be refreshed.
And moving on to chips and bread in the front corner.
Freed's is an independent supplied by C&S, so the storebrand is Best Yet.
Owner: James Freed
Opened: 1953
Cooperative: none (C&S supplied)
Location: 2024 Swamp Pk, Gilbertsville, PA
Location: 2024 Swamp Pk, Gilbertsville, PA
Photographed: January 6, 2020
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That is all for this store, and tomorrow we move just to the south to Pottstown for our next stop here on The Independent Edition!
Hard to say if that building in front was the original supermarket, considering most retailers that build new stores further back tend to demolish the old structure for extra parking. It is also possible they quickly outgrew their old building though.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the decor, but the vintage Folding Carrier shopping carts look to be from the 1960s, which makes me think they moved around that time (also noted that Weaver's Market opened in 1962 with a similar decor package).
Ah, interesting. Thanks for the notes and the history!
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