When did A&P morph into U-Haul in Augusta? (Fairfield: closing, live)

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

This was a 50s or early 60s A&P supermarket (built before my time but it still looks like the model A&P used and I have seen many pictures of). What a shame that the store at the center of such a lovely community ended up closing and becoming a non-retail business where browsing and pleasant shopping was not able to be done. But I love the conversions of 80s Toyota pickups done by U-Haul. And at least Kmart is still alive directly across the street.

[mainebrokerman]

that happened,,,,my guess in the mid to late 70's

i know a few folks that worked at that store- i do remember as a kid,,,going to that store

there was also an a&p on the old mainstreet/downtown in augusta, and one in gardiner

the last a&p or one of the last in maine was in greenville, and it closed about 13-15 yrs ago

[namder1]

Same thing happened in Dover-Foxcroft. That old store is now a Penquis Cap. I just saw that the Kmart in Fairfield is going under. Not too surprised. Not the store they once were. When I left Ca. they were ALL gone as far as I know. Replaced by WalMart and Costco.

[GreenGene]

I remember that A&P. We started going to Maine (Maranacook Lake, west of Augusta) in 1955. And before we finished the last little bit of the drive from Boston to Readfield, we had to stop at the A&P and pick up some groceries for the next couple of days.

As a kid, I grew to hate that A&P -- I just wanted to get to the lake!

Now they've got a Hannaford in Winthrop. Nice store.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by namder1

Same thing happened in Dover-Foxcroft. That old store is now a Penquis Cap. I just saw that the Kmart in Fairfield is going under. Not too surprised. Not the store they once were. When I left Ca. they were ALL gone as far as I know. Replaced by WalMart and Costco.

there's a kmart in fairfield??

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by GreenGene

I remember that A&P. We started going to Maine (Maranacook Lake, west of Augusta) in 1955. And before we finished the last little bit of the drive from Boston to Readfield, we had to stop at the A&P and pick up some groceries for the next couple of days.

As a kid, I grew to hate that A&P -- I just wanted to get to the lake!

Now they've got a Hannaford in Winthrop. Nice store.

i liked it better when it was mister market!!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Does A&P even exist any more? I remember one store that still had The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company sign.

I know that there are millions of people who will never go into a K-Mart. That has to put a dent in their bottom line. There is a price to pay when you choose Rosie O'Donnell as your corporate spokesperson. "Never" is a really long time.

[bigchuckie]

I lived in Augusta when the U haul place was convereted We used to shop at Gigueres across the street when the A&P closed. Also would hang out at Laverdiers and wait for the laundry to dry

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by bigchuckie

I lived in Augusta when the U haul place was convereted We used to shop at Gigueres across the street when the A&P closed. Also would hang out at Laverdiers and wait for the laundry to dry

i remember giguere's,,

cottle's was a growing grocery chain back then,,,,they started in waterville in the late 1940's
they were supplied by hannaford bros, in 1984 (i believe) hannaford bought them out for sole ownership

they had stores, from skowhegan, waterville, augusta, gardiner, lewiston, auburn
they also bought a "martin's" store group in the portland area-these stores put the hurt, on a&p's, giguere's, first nationals.