Smith’s Food King, a name that might ring a bell for long-time Southern California residents, evokes a specific era of grocery shopping. This article delves into the history of the first Smith’s Food King foray into Southern California, distinguishing it from a later, brief revival in the 1990s. By August 1971, Smith’s Food King made a significant move, acquiring 26 former Food Giant and Food King locations across Southern California and rebranding them under the Smith’s Food King banner. Intriguingly, 16 of these initial stores were already operating as Food King, while 10 were Food Giant stores – a detail that highlights the complex supermarket landscape of the time. Further solidifying their presence, Smith’s Food King purchased an additional 23 Food Giant stores in February 1972, expanding their portfolio to an impressive 49 locations. However, this growth was accompanied by strategic adjustments; 10 Food Giant stores in San Diego were simultaneously sold to Vons, indicating a focused approach to market consolidation. By 1982, Smith’s Food King further expanded by incorporating 6 former Market Basket locations into their chain. Yet, by 1984, this chapter in Southern California grocery history concluded when Smith’s Food King divested all its California stores, selling them to Lucky Stores. At the time of the sale, the chain comprised 34 stores statewide, with 17 strategically located within the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire areas.
This historical overview naturally leads to several intriguing questions. What became of the stores beyond those acquired by Lucky? Research into the 1972 locations reveals connections to Big Lots, formerly Pic ‘N’ Save. Did Smith’s Food King strategically sell off a number of locations to Pic ‘N’ Save during their operations? While one instance is known—a Mission Hills location transitioning from Market Basket to Smith’s Food King to Vons—was this an isolated case or part of a broader trend? Furthermore, how did Smith’s Food King approach store development and expansion during their tenure? For example, the Granada Hills store relocated approximately a mile eastward between 1972 and 1984 and now operates as an Albertsons. Similarly, the West Covina store (Azusa and Francisquito) appears to have moved, while the Upland location (Euclid and 24th) seems to have been a new development. It’s worth noting that the architectural style of the Granada Hills Albertsons bears resemblance to Market Basket stores from the late 1970s and early 1980s, suggesting possible origins. Interestingly, all other stores listed in the Lucky buyout align with the 1972 location list, pointing to a continuity in core locations despite market evolution.
Smith’s Food King Store Locations: A Detailed Look (1972 & 1984)
To provide a clearer picture of Smith’s Food King’s footprint in Southern California, location lists from 1972 and 1984 are invaluable. The 1972 list originates from a display advertisement in the Los Angeles Times dated June 15, 1972, marking Smith’s Food King’s initial significant expansion in the region through the acquisition of Food Giant’s Southern California stores earlier that year. This advertisement helpfully distinguishes between original Food King and Food Giant stores within the Smith’s Food King network. Unfortunately, the ad provides only intersections or shopping center names, lacking precise street addresses. Stores marked with “***” are those that reappeared in a 1984 advertisement announcing Lucky’s acquisition of Smith’s Food King locations.
Smith’s Food King Stores (1972)
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Katella Ave near Euclid, Anaheim: This intersection is currently a commercial hub featuring various retailers including Big Lots and Pep Boys.
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Wilshire near Canon Drive, Beverly Hills: This location closed in the early 1980s.
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***Dale St. at La Palma, Buena Park: Currently an Albertsons supermarket.
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Long Beach Blvd near Compton Blvd, Compton: Possibly the site of the current Super Value store.
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Citrus Ave at Arrow Hwy, Covina: Now occupied by a Superior Food Warehouse.
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***Whittier at Gerhart, East LA: Potentially the vacant store adjacent to Kmart.
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Midway Shopping Center, El Monte: Possibly located on Lower Azusa Road, current store unidentified.
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Sears Shopping Center, El Monte: The entire shopping center has been redeveloped into Longo Toyota.
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Compton Ave at Florence, Florence (LA): Currently a Superior Food Warehouse.
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Crenshaw at Compton, Gardena: Intersection of parallel streets, precise location unclear.
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San Fernando Mission at Balboa, Granada Hills: Initially in Balboa Mission Shopping Center (now Vons), later moved to San Fernando Mission and Woodley (now Albertsons).
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Hollywood at Western, Hollywood: A Ralphs supermarket is on the northeast corner, potentially a newer construction replacing the Smith’s Food King location.
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Orange at San Antonio, Long Beach: Unclear precise location within this unusual concentric street layout.
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Ladera Shopping Center, Los Angeles: Likely the Ross store at La Tijera and Centinela.
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Olympic at Beverly Glen, Los Angeles: Predominantly residential area, nearby Ralphs supermarket a few blocks east.
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Santa Barbara at Vermont, Los Angeles: Now MLK/Vermont intersection, across from the Coliseum, appears to be an independent store location.
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Pioneer and Florence, Norwalk: Area now primarily business parks, schools, and parks.
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Ventura Blvd in Fremont Square, Oxnard: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
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Beverly Blvd at Rosemead, Pico Rivera: Currently a Big Lots store.
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Sherman Way at Reseda Blvd, Reseda: Current store at this location is undetermined.
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Western at Caddington, San Pedro: Potentially within the current shopping center.
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Lincoln at Ashland, Santa Monica: Now a McDonald’s, previously a Pic ‘N’ Save in the 1970s.
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Irvine Blvd near Newport St, Tustin: Could be either the shopping center with Ralphs or the one with Whole Foods Market.
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***San Bernardino Rd at Irwindale, West Covina: Now occupied by a church.
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***Santa Monica Bl at Westwood Bl, Westwood: Possibly the Ross store on Westwood Blvd, previously thought to be an Alpha Beta.
Food Giant Stores (1972 – Converted to Smith’s Food King)
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Ramona Blvd at Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park: Possibly the Valu+ or 99 Cent Only Store.
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Valley View at Lincoln, Buena Park: Likely the Big Lots store.
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Victory Blvd at Fallbrook, Canoga Park: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
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Harbor Shopping Center, Costa Mesa (Northeast corner of Harbor and Wilson): Now an Albertsons, recently renovated.
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Atlantic Blvd in Cudahy Plaza, Cudahy: Currently a Big Lots store.
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Fontana Square Shopping Center, Fontana: Current store at this location is undetermined.
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Chapman at State College, Fullerton: Could be either Big Lots or Drug Emporium.
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Hawthorne at 131 St, Hawthorne: Currently a Big Lots store.
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Crenshaw at Imperial, Inglewood: Now a Ralphs supermarket.
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Imperial at Meyer, La Mirada: No matching intersection found.
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***Amar Rd at Puente, La Puente: Possibly a store within the strip mall at this location.
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***Rossmoor Shopping Center, Los Alamitos/Seal Beach: Believed to be the Albertsons supermarket.
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Crenshaw near Rodeo, Los Angeles: Now a Ralphs supermarket.
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***Hillhurst near Los Feliz, Los Feliz Hills: Now an Albertsons (actually Hillhurst and Franklin).
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Century Blvd at Bullis, Lynwood: Streets do not intersect, location unclear.
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***Sepulveda and Marine, Manhattan Beach: Closed, previously a Lucky store, likely before Albertsons acquisition.
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Atlantic Blvd near Randolf, Maywood
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Sepulveda and Devonshire, Mission Hills: Now a Vons, currently undergoing renovations.
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Webb and Lankershim, North Hollywood: Now a Food4Less, likely a replacement store.
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Laurel Canyon near Ventura Blvd, Studio City: Now a Vons, previously a Ralphs, a high-grossing location.
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“Magic Chef” Del Amo Center, Torrance: Unclear location, Magic Chef owned Smiths for a period.
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West 190th St at Inglewood, Torrance: Now a HOWS Market.
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***Sepulveda and Sherman Way, Van Nuys: Now a Jons Market, previously Lucky and briefly Albertsons.
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***Westminster Ave near Golden West, Westminster: Likely the Albertsons in the large shopping center.
Additional Stores Listed in 1984 Lucky Ad (Not in 1972 Ad)
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San Fernando Mission at Woodley, Granada Hills: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
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Balboa at 31st St, Newport Beach: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
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Alondra Blvd at Downey Ave, Paramount: Possibly a Stater Bros or older shopping center.
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Pioneer at Rosecrans, Norwalk: Norwalk Square, former Market Basket, now Fallas Paredes Mexican wear store.
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Euclid at 24th St, Upland: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
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E. Amar Rd at Nogales Rd, Walnut Hills: Now an Albertsons supermarket.
The End of an Era: Smith’s Food King’s Departure
The story of Smith’s Food King in Southern California, while relatively brief, offers a fascinating glimpse into the dynamic landscape of the grocery industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Their acquisition and conversion of existing stores, followed by strategic expansions and eventual sale to Lucky, reflects the competitive pressures and evolving market conditions of the time. While many former Smith’s Food King locations continue to operate as supermarkets under different banners like Albertsons, Vons, and Ralphs, others have been repurposed or redeveloped, mirroring the constant transformation of the retail environment. The questions surrounding store sales to chains like Pic ‘N’ Save and the specifics of their expansion strategies remain intriguing areas for further research, highlighting the enduring interest in the history of regional supermarket chains and their impact on local communities.
