Search results
Kroger pioneered in-store bakeries and in-store fresh meat butchery. Kroger grocery stores were the first in the country to sell freshly baked goods, meat, and groceries under the same roof. Kroger was known for his philanthropy and donated to parks, hospitals, and medical research.
Our story began in 1883 when Barney Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to open a single grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati. He had a simple motto: “Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself.”
Mar 18, 2024 · Kroger began in 1883 when Barney Kroger invested his life savings — $372 — to open a grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1901, Kroger became the first grocery in the United States to establish its own bakery.
From a 17-foot store front to number 20 on the Fortune 500 list, Barney Kroger spread the neighborhood grocery store across the nation. In 1883, Barney Kroger used his life savings to open his first grocery store in downtown Cincinnati. However, his humble beginnings didn’t last long.
- Childhood and Early Life
- Education
- Early Career
- The Founding of Kroger
- Managing Kroger
- Other Achievements
- Personal Life
- The Death of Bernard Kroger
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More About Bernard Kroger
Bernard Kroger was born on January 24, 1860, into a family of nine children. He was the son of German immigrants. His father, Johan Kroger, immigrated to America in 1827 at 10 years old. Johan first settled in Baltimore and later moved to Cincinnati, where he found a thriving German immigrant community. He then opened a small dry goods store, which...
Bernard Kroger attended Protestant Parochial School in Cincinnati. This school exposed him to both the American and German communities. German was taught as a second language after English. Kroger essentially lived a double childhood life. He assimilated into the American culture in school and lived in a home with German influences. Bernard Kroger ...
Kroger had some experience working as a clerk in their family store. He drew on this skill to get a position as a door-to-door salesman and clerk at the Great Northern and Pacific Tea Company, later the Imperial Tea Company. The company’s grocer was not performing, so the owners appointed Kroger to manage the store. Under Kroger’s leadership, the g...
Bernard Kroger partnered with B.A. Branagan, an Irish immigrant, established the Great Western Tea Company, which would later become the Kroger Company. Using his life savings of $372 and $350 from Branagan, the two opened their first grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati. Kroger’s first year in business was nothing if not painful...
Kroger opened another store and bought out Branagan’s interest for $1,500. By 1885, his company had four stores. Kroger credited the success of his business to hard work, determination, and clever advertising tactics. Despite the rapid growth, Kroger remained involved in the daily affairs of his stores. He knew almost everything about his business ...
Besides managing his business, Kroger also involved himself in many philanthropic activities. In 1903, he paid entry tickets for 5,000 students so they could enjoy Cincinnati’s Coney Island, a theme park. Kroger was also elected president of the Cincinnati Welfare Association of the Blind. He pledged to donate $1,000 yearly to support causes for th...
Bernard Kroger married Mary Emily Jansen in 1895 after a prolonged courtship. The couple had seven children, four daughters and three sons. Their oldest son passed away in 1899 due to diphtheria. Mary also passed away that year after suffering from the same illness. After his wife’s death, Kroger focused wholeheartedly on running his business. He m...
Kroger passed away on July 21, 1938, after a heart attack. He left $20 million in personal wealth behind and was buried in Cincinnati’s Spring Grove Cemetery. Before his death, Kroger gave $1.3 million to each of his children and advised them to make a name for themselves.
There are a few questions people search for related to Bernard Kroger, which we have included below with the answers. 1. Where is the Kroger family from? Kroger’s parents were both German immigrants, meaning Kroger had German ancestry. 1. Where did Bernard Kroger live? Bernard Kroger was born and lived most of his life in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1. What ...
The following resources provide more information about Bernard Kroger. In addition, you can browse the latest information by clicking on a link leading to the latest search results.
Mar 29, 2023 · 1860: Barney Kroger born in Cincinnati. Barney Kroger grew up in a grocery family. His parents were German immigrants who had their own grocery store downtown, but it failed in 1873.
People also ask
When did Barney Kroger start a grocery store?
How did Barney Kroger become famous?
Why did Barney Kroger start a butcher shop?
Who was Bernard Kroger?
Who founded Kroger & Branagan?
What makes Barney Kroger so successful?
In 1883, 23-year-old Bernard Kroger, the fifth of ten children of German immigrants, invested his life savings of $372 (equivalent to $12,164 in 2023) to open a grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati. [21] The son of a merchant, he ran his business with a simple motto: "Be particular.
