FRED MEYER LOVED A GRAND OPENING WITH EVA

Mrs Meyer never received the credit deserved. Eva was a force in the creation of the Fred Meyer brand. She was a great balance in comparison to the hard driving Fred G. Meyer. She and her sister Mary Boyle ran the stores, Fred spent most of his time growing the business and locations. When Eva passed away in 1960, Fred became lonely and focused all his energy into the business and had forged incredible growth. The man on the far right is Eva's son Earl Chiles. Please note the tunnel check stand. The customer would unload the cart and place the items on the counter, then the shopping cart would drop down into a recessed area beneath the counter. The bagger would pull the cart through if it was needed to load the other. 

Comments

[Don from Salem]

I remember the tunnel check stands at the old Walnut Park Freddie's on Union Ave. & Killingsworth. That store was rebuilt circa 1960. Closed in the late 60's. Then Union Ave. was renamed in the early 70's. The store is long gone and now the site of the NE precinct of PPB.

[Tony Spear]

Kari: about your post yesterday, I was stating that Earle Meyer Chiles is Earle Arden Chiles' son, not Fred Grubmeyer's! By the way Mr Stump, Earle in this case is spelled with an "e" on the end.

[J. E. Knox]

Two things I remember about "classic" Fred Meyer stores: (1) Roof parking, and (2) the cart tunnels. The original 82nd & Foster store had both, as did the Hawthorne store. I was miffed when the Foster store was remodeled around 1966 and both my favorite features were gone.

(Oh, and "Don from Salem" -- to many of us, it's STILL "Union Avenue". And "Portland Boulevard." And "Front Avenue." AND 39th AVENUE!! A pox on the rampant re-namers! To quote a song title, "My City Is Gone.")

[Tony Spear]

Mr Stump,
Young Earle was just here and I showed him this website. He will sign up tomorrow and chime in to help add content. He corrected me on his dad's middle name. It's Alton not Arden. Arden is the name of the street he grew up on, off SW Broadway Drive. My Boo Boo!

[Vince]

Fred Meyer was a Portland Icon. He made good through brilliance and hard work. I loved his stores and still drive past eveywhere else to shop there. It's My-T-Fine!

[grn-o-salt]

Fred Meyer I support. Kroger was smart to leave the local offices here. That was a huge plus. Freddies also supports local sports and parks etc. Another huge deal when it comes to supporting their stores.

[Benjamin Edge]

Don,

Actually, that Walnut Park Freddy's lasted through April 29, 1989. Originally opened in November of 1936, this location was moved to a new building in 1962, and had last been significantly remodeled in 1979.