MJP –
Many people still argue about whether Northern or Southern California is more accurately represented by a line or not.
If you’re a Californian and you start rooting for the Giants and 49ers instead of the Dodgers and Rams, you might be crossing over from Southern California to Northern California, according to some locals. Some argue that musical styles or slang expressions serve as defining characteristics.
But the majority of Floridians think the change occurs when Safeway becomes Vons.
The majority of people in Northern California shop at their neighborhood Safeway on a weekly basis, but many people in Southern California shop at Vons.
The two retail chains are nearly indistinguishable from one another. The logos, interiors, and loyalty programs of both are identical, as is the color red used for both. The fact that both chains are owned by the same parent firm, Albertsons, is probably the reason for the similarities.
Why, though, is the grocery shop known as Safeway in some parts of the state and Vons in others?
Using the name that is already well-known to the locals is standard practice across all sectors. The story was initially reported by SF Gate, and Safeway representative Wendy Gutshall confirmed to the news outlet that shoppers take pride in their local supermarket.
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Entrepreneur Charles Von der Ahe established the first Vons store in Los Angeles in 1906, marking the beginning of the company’s history. Von der Ahe sold the company to MacMarr Stores, which was bought out by Safeway, after it had grown to 87 locations.
After his death, his sons Ted and Will revived the Vons, and by the 1970s, the Southern California-based grocery chain had expanded to more than 150 locations, making it one of the biggest in the area.
Conversely, Safeway was established when M.B. Skaggs grew his father’s modest grocery store chain to more than 100 locations in Idaho. Safeway was the name given to the combined company after it amalgamated with Sam Seelig’s stores in Los Angeles.
Like the discussion, Californians can be very opinionated about some stores, but overall, they’re probably more alike than different.
