A & P, 421 Bush River Road, suite 3001: 4 March 1998 31 comments
I've posted pictures before of the older style, steeple-topped A&P stores. This one, on a Dutch Square outparcel was one in the "new" style A&P adopted before leaving the South Carolina market. (I'm not counting the "supercenter" type stores such as in North Myrtle Beach).
I don't believe I ever went into this store. I certainly spent plenty of time at Dutch Square as I've mentioned in a number of posts, but during most of that period I was a tween or teen, fixated on books and music, and hardly shopping for groceries at all (not to mention that Dutch Square was on the other side of town from our usual grocery destinations). I'm guessing the 1990s as the (vague) closing date for this store, but it could as easily have been the 1980s.
I think that after this store closed, the area was actually pretty grocery-less, with no stores I can think of in the same general vicinity. (Food Lion had a Bush River Road store, but it closed too).
UPDATE 12 March 2011: Updated closing date based on commenter Andrew's research.
31 Responses to 'A & P, 421 Bush River Road, suite 3001: 4 March 1998'
Subscribe to comments with RSS
-
Del
30 Aug 09 at 11:48 pm
-
I think it must have closed around 1994 or so. I was working at Boozer Shopping Center at the time, and bought a few non-perishables when they were clearing out all their inventory at the end.
Jim
31 Aug 09 at 9:04 am
-
When this store first opened up in the 1970s it was called "A-Mart" though it was owned by A&P. Later they re-branded it as an A&P. there is a A-Mart furniture chain today, but they have nothing to do with A&P.
The closest grocery store to Dutch Square today is a Food Lion in a strip mall on Broad River Road near Greystone.
Tom
31 Aug 09 at 9:14 am
-
Actually, I think the new Wal-Mart on Bush River is now the closest grocery to Dutch Square. Both the Food Lion and Wal-Mart are new & new-er though -- there was a long period of no nearby stores.
ted
31 Aug 09 at 12:32 pm
-
I vaguely remember the putt-putt behind the old McD's but I distinctly remember the gas station. It opened about the time I started my first job in that area around 1974. It was branded "USA" and except for the bricks used the tri-color theme including red, white & blue pumps. White was premium if I recall correctly. But their trademark was an over-sized flag on a disproportionately short pole. You couldn't miss it & it did draw in business. However, their lot was so small that getting in & out was a bit aggravating. Four customers were enough to back up traffic on Dutch Sq.Blvd. So, even though people had dealt with gas lines before, I guess their play on patriotism couldn't keep people coming. Then after prices & supply stabilized they withered away.
I only went in the A&P one time, just before it closed and it wasn't spic & span. I wish the Kmart could be re-born as an Earth Fare or Fresh Market. There is a need in that area for something fresh.John R
31 Aug 09 at 4:34 pm
-
My first job was the A&P at Dutch Square. I know it was there from 1993 to at least 1996. It was a great store. Ah..memories.
Erin
17 Sep 09 at 10:45 am
-
The A&P in Dutch Square definitely did not close down in the 80's. It was still there when I went to St. andrews Middle school in 1993. We even sold newpapers around the front of this store. They closed down shortly after this time period though.
Amanda
7 Jul 10 at 5:25 am
-
The Dutch Square A&P. A part of the companys aggressive store development program in the mid 70's Hey Great Pic of what was a very successful store within The A&P Carolina Division. A&P instead of spending time & resources on most of its Southern Markets, decided to pull the plug on the Southeast Group Headquatered out of Atlanta Ga. The Carolina Division stores were a part of the 1999 pull out. A new Century has come and an important piece of Iconic American History... The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) is no longer with us here in the Carolina's
Ashley Carter
10 Jan 11 at 8:15 pm
-
Where was the Bush River Road Food Lion?
I'm afraid it was before my time.
Andrew
11 Jan 11 at 12:05 am
-
It's here on a post I got completely wrong and still have not fixed :-(
ted
11 Jan 11 at 1:37 am
-
Erin posted a note about working at the Dutch Square A&P as a first job. I bet if was cool, I say because about the same time a was working a first job for Ingles in Asheville NC. The grocery business is fun its more face to face with the public. If I Win the Lottery I might just open up a old school, half wore out looking A&P store and only cool people can work there! I will even let customers smoke Cigarettes in the place if they want to.
Ashley Carter
11 Jan 11 at 10:29 pm
-
There's a heads up, Ted....be prepared to include a posting on Ashley Carter's grocery store soon after it opens.
12 Jan 11 at 4:57 am
-
Would You go to an A&P Grocery Store in 2011??? Well Terry the Cigs a know might be a little much. Its funny how we all are now I remember seeing people smoking inside malls, grocery stores, Taco Bell you name it.Things are much more cleaner inside some of these places now I must admit. Picture this a renewed Older part of town that has now become the place to be seen/ more higher end now that the surrounding area has been renewed and your neighborhood A&P has an awesome Deli & Cigar Bar with retractable walls to create a open air area to also sit down and enjoy yourself for awhile. Maybe pleasure yourself with Hot Fresh 8 O' Clock Coffee, or an age appropriate beverage and Fine Tobaccos if so desire. Would Ted be Writing about my store closing or would he be making a trip to Ashley Carter's A&P store for a true Pleasure Experience.
Ashley Carter
14 Jan 11 at 10:43 pm
-
that wouldn't really be an A&P Ashley! LOL
KE
15 Jan 11 at 3:39 am
-
@ Ashley, in many communities state and local laws would not allow your customers or employees to smoke inside.
Tom
15 Jan 11 at 10:05 am
-
I Do know of an old A&P open for business , but not as a traditional A&P but a Green Life Grocery Store. Smoking is allowed outside around the outdoor patio area. The Owner before he sold his store out to Whole Foods is said to enjoy fine Tobaccos but I really do not believe he would want to compete with B&B up the street. B&B is a Emporium of Fine Tobaccos. Greenlife on Marrimon Ave Asheville NC is that urban renewed old school 1968 Centennial Style A&P store of good size, was one A&P's last stores in Asheville and now sales Groceries focusing in on a natural, traditional & organic kind of style. The connecting Full service sit down Deli serves good fresh eats when ever you want it. Even with Tobacco Freindly management as of last year any North Carolina Alcohol or Food Serving business that allowed smoking of any kind indoors would be in " Violation of the LAW"....Yea!!! More laws!!!! Like we Need more LAWS!?!?! But really, I have visited this store a few times,have sit down enjoyed seeing the American Spirit breath life right back into that O' A&P store.
As of 2011 Three of A&P's former Asheville NC Locations operate as Supermarkets.....Why did you leave A&P??Ashley Carter
19 Jan 11 at 10:24 pm
-
A&P was the first grocery chain to use the transcontinental railroad. What a tremendous run.
19 Jan 11 at 11:14 pm
-
Hmmmm. What does that (in T Edwards linked article) say about the role of unions in today's business world?
JBL
20 Jan 11 at 11:42 pm
-
Well, I have no personal knowledge, but it's been noted here before as part of A&P's woes.
ted
21 Jan 11 at 12:38 am
-
Exactly, ted. I am obviously spouting off about something I have only a little first-hand knowledge of, but it seems unions have/had their place at one time, maybe Harlan Co, WV, but not anymore. Look at the mess being brewed up over the Boeing plant in Charleston as we speak. Anyway, how do you locate this pertinent info so quickly? Do you have this entire website catalogued in your brain?
JBL
22 Jan 11 at 12:07 am
-
Well there's only 925 posts so far.. :-)
ted
22 Jan 11 at 1:11 am
-
Ted has a great site. Its main focus of closers of business does get all of our minds circling round some reasons why some places make it and others do not. One only has to see the Bankrupt Northern States ravaged by Unions making business difficult at best in most cases.
A&P during the late 80's & 1990's In Co. annual reports claimed lack of overall performance in its southern markets was "competition from non-union Grocery Chains". From an Athletic point of view, I never want to blame a questionable call by the official on the reason we lost the game. We should have played better and had more on the score more.Ashley Carter
23 Jan 11 at 5:16 pm
-
March 4, 1998 it is for this spot:
A&P STORE TO CLOSE AT DUTCH SQUARE CENTER
SHERYL JEAN
Staff Writer
Midlands residents can say goodbye to a piece of grocery history.The A&P supermarket at Dutch Square Center is scheduled to close today after 30 years of business, leaving just two A&P stores in the state - both in Myrtle Beach. South Carolina had eight A&P stores last year.
A&P, the oldest grocery store company in the nation, has pulled almost completely out of the South Carolina market as it focuses on more dense, profitable...
Published on 1998-03-04, Page B7, State, The (Columbia, SC)
Andrew
11 Mar 11 at 11:46 pm
-
If anyone's interested in the full closing article, I have it for your viewing pleasure
Andrew
4 May 11 at 9:28 pm
-
Andrew is on top of things! You can't get any closer to A&P's Dutch Square last days reading this article. Unless you turned the lights out that night. Ms. Jean writes as of March 4 1998 only two A&P stores are operating in SC and the Dutch Square store is to close on the 5th a Thursday. Having Friday off can be nice if you have job to go back to.
Is the writer Correct Was the Dutch Square A&P was the last of three Stores operating in the state AND which two stores in Myrtle Beach were still operating after March 4th & 5th???????
Ashley Carter
27 May 11 at 10:30 pm
-
My first job (as a high school sophomore) was at the A-Mart in 1970. It was a great place to work. When the nearby McDonalds restaurant opened, I remember buying my first Big Mac for 65 cents! There was a small men's clothing store in this same building, I think its name was the Red Lion (?). Great photo - thanks for the memories.
Marc
1 Jul 11 at 10:53 pm
-
Hey Marc.... So A&P branded Dutch Square an A-Mart. Do you or one know when it opened and did A&P Grand Open this store as an A-Mart?? A&P experimented in its various Divisions with the A-Mart Banner but was threatened with a suit from K-Mart claiming enfrengement upon marketing identity. A&P bows out and the A-Mart quickly fades away. So this store was opened no later than 1970. Marc knows because he is a former employee!! Cool stuff chime back if you can.
ONE MORE question what was the color scheme of the store exterior during 70's.Ashley Carter
14 Aug 11 at 4:43 pm
-
Hi Ashley... yes when the store first opened circa 1969 it was an A-Mart. I don't recall when it switched to A&P but I'm sure it was before 1975. I do remember that our hourly pay was better than most places and I was told it was because the company had to adhere to union pay rates negotiated in other states.
Colour scheme? Hmmm... the brick in the above photo looks familiar but not sure about the other exterior details.Marc
26 Aug 11 at 8:41 pm
-
I was actually one of the last people out of that store the day it closed. I was a cashier there for the last 6 months of operation. Talk about a dinosaur of a store, we manually keyed everything in until the day it closed!
Nic
28 May 13 at 8:10 pm
-
I worked at the Dutch Square A&P in the mid 80's. My brother Larry worked for A&P from 1968 til the closing lpf the last store in the Colimbia area His last store was on Sumter Hwy He retired from the company in the late 90's A&P was a great company to worl for
Karen Cullifer
2 Aug 13 at 10:49 am
-
GB Shoes is closed temporarily for remodeling per signs on Broad River Rd.
Justin
14 Jan 14 at 8:27 am
I think this A&P closed in 1989 or just there of. I went to it a few times, but there was an arcade also in the strip mall next to it. The Food Lion on Bush River Rd was originally opened as a Thriffty Mart, then Food Town, then Food Lion.
There also used to be right behind and next to the McDonalds there on Broad River a Mobile Gas Station and there was also a small "Putt Putt" type golf place right behind the Gas Station.. not too smart if the gas tanks ever blew up, but the golf course nor Mobile Gas stayed there too long. I think it was the mid to late 70's when they were there.