Bradlees History – What Happened?

Bradlees was named after Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport, where the store’s founders held early meetings.

This unique connection highlights the brand’s roots in the state and the community that supported its development.

The first store opened its doors in New London, Connecticut, on March 14, 1958, marking the beginning of a chain that would serve shoppers for decades.

In 1961, Stop & Shop, a well-known grocery chain, acquired Bradlees, expanding its business portfolio.

The acquisition of Bradlees by Stop & Shop significantly influenced both companies, allowing them to operate side by side in various locations until 1992.

This strategy provided customers with a wider range of shopping options, enhancing the convenience of grocery and general merchandise shopping.

Bradlees built a reputation for value and accessibility, becoming a well-known presence in communities while successfully catering to its diverse customers despite the competitive retail landscape.

In some cases, particularly in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, grand stores were constructed to accommodate both Bradlees and Stop & Shop.

Customers were able to freely roam between the two stores within these early examples of super-centers.

This tradition ended in 1982 when Stop & Shop decided to close its New York metro division and installed partition walls in the super-center stores.

Stop & Shop made a comeback to the area in the autumn of 2000 by rebranding its Edwards Super Food Stores chain as Stop & Shop.

Snack Stands and More

Like many of its competitors, including Caldor, Bradlees stores proudly showcased snack stands and lunch counters brimming with irresistible treats for shoppers.

From refreshing soft drinks and juicy hot dogs to crispy French fries and delectable soft pretzels, as well as indulgent ice cream and tempting prepackaged cookies, there was something to satisfy every craving.

In 1993, Bradlees took it up a notch by introducing Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Dunkin’ Donuts items to select stores, bringing even more excitement to the shopping experience.

These mouthwatering offerings were also integrated into the design of newly constructed stores, enhancing the overall appeal for customers.

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