Kash n’ Karry was a Florida-based convenience grocery store that has since been absorbed by Sweetbay Supermarket.
History
In 1914, Italian immigrant Salvatore Greco began selling fruits and vegetables in the streets of Tampa, Fla. In 1922, he and his wife, Giuseppina, opened a storefront at their home and developed it so that, in 1947, they could built a proper store under the name Big Barn. They continued to expand their business and had opened nine stores by 1960s under the name Tampa Wholesale. They renamed their chain again in 1962, this time calling it Kash n’ Karry – based on the cash-and-carry program of World War II where people would bring in their cash and carry out groceries.
In 1979, Kash n’ Karry sold its stores to Lucky Stores Inc. of Dublin, Calif. – a subsidiary of American Stores. With a total of 84 stores by 1985, from Fort Myers to Gainesville, the company successfully marketed to both discount shoppers and up-scale customers. By 1989, Kash n’ Karry owned 117 stores, some of which offered full-service banking with First Florida Bank, florist services and a “Nature Friendly” tag system. Acquisitions also abounded for the company that year, with American Stores management partnering with Gibbons, Green van Amerongen Ltd.
Success was short-lived: by 1994, Kash n’ Karry was bankrupt, in part because it was growing too fast for the available market, and there was too much competition from similar supermarket chains. Food Lion LLC purchased Kash n’ Karry in 1996 and part of the buyout allowed Kash n’ Karry to refinance its outstanding debt at a much lower interest rate, resulting in annual savings of $9 million. With the formation of Delhaize America in 2000, Kash n’ Karry became a subsidiary of Delhaize Group of Belgium. The last Kash n’ Karry store closed its doors on Aug. 29, 2007.
Management of Kash n’ Karry stores was transferred in 2002 to Hannaford Bros. Co., which also handled supply. The change was made in an effort to regain control in the Florida market, but it ultimately failed. With the restructuring, however, Sweetbay Supermarkets was created, following the Hannaford model. The first Sweetbay opened in Seminole, Fla. in November 2006, and Kash n’ Karry began to roll its operations into Sweetbay Supermarkets.
Stats
Headquarters: Tampa, Florida
Number of Stores: 104
Number of Employees: 8500
Subsidiary: Delhaize America (Delhaize Group)
Geography: Plant City, Florida
Important Links
Corporate Home Page
Online Shopping
Circular and Specials
Jobs and Careers
Store Locations
I worked for KNK from 1993-1994. Worked the grocery overnight shift. Was a very good place to work. Had a lot of fun… miss those days :)
Gosh! I sure miss kash n karry when I lived in Sarasota, Florida. I enjoyed shopping there! I loved buying the kash n karry store brand small chocolate nutritional drinks. I wish I could buy them at publix now that kash n karry is no longer.
Provided that happens please advertise them please!!!!!
I worked for Kash n Karry from 1869 to 1879 great times I’m now 168 years old now Retired thinking back 151 years ago when I first started working for Kash n Karry great memories
I worked at Kash & Karry in the meat Department during this time I injured my back. I’m trying to apply for Medicaid and they told me that I still have Insurance through Kash & Karry. I don’t have a claim number so that I can stop this. So that I can get Medicaid. I need to get this information. My name is Carolyn it was ither Olson are Dayhaw, last name at the time. My #is 727-967-2200. If someone could please contact me about this matter.
Was the venice KK a Grand Union before?
I worked for Kash & Karry #5 off waters and Nebraska ave. form 1969 to 1977. My manager was Ed Sanders and assistant manager was Melvin Missildine. Melvin was the best. Gail Lane was grocery manager then I was because of Melvin. Great place
Iworked for Kash & Karry in 1969 to 1977 one of my managers were John Sullivan and my assistant manager was Melvin Missildine we worked at the Kash & Karry # 5 off Waters and Nebraska ave. Gail Lane was my grocery manager and I became grocery manager. I was 16 I first started. Great memories
Sorry it was Ed Sanders not John Sullivan John was manager when I worked for Randalls Foods in Houston Texas I worked for them 21 years
i have lost one of the recipes’ from when my kids were small – 30ish years ago. I know this is a long shot but would anyone have the recipe in your archives for “Lunchbox Cookies”? They were basically a peanut butter cookie but have never been able to find one as good as those.
I worked for them in 71-72 they were great. I was on sr 19 then was promoted to management in the Seminole store after we opened it. We opened the Venice store. The best manager I worked for was, Wesley Bragg a very good man. Mike McCrary
I have been charged twice by Kash & Karry for a costume i purchased yesterday. I was wondering if there is anything I need to do in order to regain my funds.