For more than 50 years
ALMACS Supermarkets
served the Southern New England area -
served the Southern New England area -
They had over 30 stores throughout the state.
Sadly ALMACS closed their doors the mid 90's.
photo by Ken from Coventry
Send us your ALMACS Memories!! email
photo by Ken from Coventry
Send us your ALMACS Memories!! email
photos or stories & we'll post them
Almacs Store #38 Lincoln Mall
Closing Day
photo from Dave K
send me your ALMACS photos!
My family use to shop at Almacs all the time. Sad that such a big name is no long here.
ReplyDeletea friend of mine had a job at Almacs and when the Market Closed He lost is Job.
DeleteWell that makes sense.
DeleteI worked at store 38 from august 1988 until July 1995. It was, for a time a phenomenal place to work and I met a lot of wonderful people there. By the time '95 rolled around it was clear of the direction the company was headed. There was the big meeting at Rocky Point at which the Union advised us all to take the 15% pay cut to keep the store open. The union, however did NOT lower dues by 15%. Funny how that happens. I rememebr the summer of 95 being VERY hot and the air conditioning broke and they refused to fix it. Very few customers came in at that time. It was a real shame to have worked for a great company only to watch become a failure.
ReplyDeleteI left store 38 in August of 88 and worked at Lincoln Mall until November 95. We must have just missed each other.
Delete38 was Lincoln Mall
DeleteI worked at Store 5 from July 81 to August of 88. I worked from Jan 84 to June 84 twelve days straight and never got time and a half for working Saturday which was the 6th day if you worked Monday through Saturday straight. The Shopsteward said they knew what they were doing. Then I went to Store 38 from August of 88 to Nov. 95
DeleteWhat location was store 5?
Deleteafter 22 years i get $164 58 a month
ReplyDeleteI used to deliver bread to the westerly almacs just before they went under.that store was famous for taking out dated raw chicken,washing it with bleach and then re-wrapping/re-dating it.
ReplyDeleteI use to jerkoff in the bathroom at the warehose. paul bert.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you call me I would have joined you. LOL
DeleteIn 1968 I started at the West Warwick store in Clyde. It was a nice place to work for a high school kid and stayed there thru my first 2 years of college. We had the nicest man for store manager - Ted Deguilio. I had fun working there, made a lot of friends and enjoyed the Yum Yum shop for our meals / breaks. What a loss for Rhode Island.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with memories of the Almacs in Barrington? I was about 7 or 8 when they closed, but I remember my mother shopping there every week, and I remember a big analog clock on the wall. When they built the Shaw's, I waited outside for the grand opening to be the very first customer they ever had...and I was. It was a big deal to an 11 year old lol.
ReplyDeleteI worked there in 1988-89. It was my first job and I was 16. Its too bad the chain isn't around any more.
DeleteMy first memories of going to a "big" grocery store w/ my mom was at the Almacs in Barrington, RI. That was back in the early 1970's and I was in kindergarten at the Sowams Elementary School.
DeleteI worked at the Barrington store (104) from 1973 to 1980. It was a great learning experience and character builder. I worked with so many wonderful people.
DeleteHi Larry,
DeleteI also worked at the Barrington store from 1970 to 1976.
It was a great part time job.
Yes! I went there as a child in the 1960s. Loved this store and that entire plaza.
DeleteI started working in the warehouse in 1965, enlisted in the marines corps, and when I returned from 1969 till the warehouse closed in 2/1990 . The Almacs super markets and warehouse actually ended when ucipa bought the company. They had no intentions of keeping it but breaking it apart for a quick return (LBO). Joe Burkle exact words to me. They employees and the unions had no chance to save the company, I know.
ReplyDeleteGreen stamps...😁
ReplyDeleteMy first job, age 16, was at the Almacs in Barrington Rhode Island. Sad to think that the chain no longer exists. It was the only job I've ever had that made me join a union and go to regular union events lol
ReplyDeleteFALL RIVER ALMACS CHINESE PORK LUNCH MEAT THE BEST CANT FIND IT NO WHERE ALMACS WAS THE ONLY PLACE
ReplyDeleteWe used to go there every week. If I remember there was a mcdinolds and laundry mat right next door. I was prob. 5 or 6 at the time. The good old days
DeleteWow. I can remember going shopping with my mom at the one in Coventry, right next to Kmart.
ReplyDeletethat's was my first job..almost 10 years..still in the biz!
DeleteWhat was the address?
DeleteGood store excellent bakery products!! Preferred Star Market meats though.
ReplyDeleteWorked for 16 years. Store 23. East Ave Pawtucket.
ReplyDeleteI also worked at 23. 86- 94.
DeleteI worked for Almacs store # 34, 1919 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI. I was only there for 4 years but it was the best 4 years of my life.
ReplyDelete1919 Mineral Spring is home to CVS, and I’m assuming it has been ever since Almac’s closed down. There were other stores in that plaza too. A Papa Gino’s pizza, and an iParty. Both good stores sucks they were both closed.
DeleteThe Papa Gino’s part of the building was eventually torn down, and replaced with a TD Bank. The old iParty building still remains but CVS uses it for I assume storage and staff meetings. Can’t see much inside since this black plastic is covering the windows.
Mineral Spring these days is infested with Dunkin’ Donuts and Banks. To many banks!
I do not recall the address for the Westerly store! Any help?
ReplyDeleteFranklin Street, where the current Aldi’s is and before that Shaw’s.
DeleteThe homemade Chocolate chip cookies were the best (East Greenwich).
ReplyDeleteWhat address was that Almacs?
DeleteSorry for spam
Main St, East Greenwich 02818
DeleteThe East Greenwich ALMACS was at approx 553 Main St in what is now called 'Greenwich Commons',Trainboy90. In that spot now (on Google Maps) is 'Kon Asian Bistro' and next door to that is a Coldwell Banker that was also likely part of ALMACS, which was a pretty big store. That shopping plaza was a big, big deal in the 1960's - a center of commercial activity on Main St. Back then, in order from south to north was ALMACS, Thorpe Pharmacy (with a connecting door to) Newport Creamery (when Newport Creamery was an excellent place to eat) and then Woolworth's. It appears that the CVS that's in Woolworth's place now has been expanded into what used to be part of the parking lot. On the southeast corner of that plaza, where Starbucks is now, was originally The Old Stone Bank. It's possible that I've forgotten a small storefront in the ALMACS line-up. Maybe another reader can verify the accuracy of my memory.
DeleteThanks. I'll add it to my map.
DeleteHere's my Almacs location maps: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Svzyzm9WprMqT2_3Cp1U0YL_qNo&ll=41.768787009354696%2C-71.36283270000001&z=15
ReplyDeleteSome of my family members used to go to Almacs a lot. My dad remembered the one in Smithfield (Currently a T.J.Maxx). One of my teachers said there was an Almacs near the North Smithfield/Wonsockett border (Now split into a Ocean State Job Lot and Dollar Tree. Jess from RHD RI said there was an Almacs in Attleboro MA (Now occupied by a boring Yankee Liquor). I now knew there were a couple Almacs locations in Massachusetts.
The map doesn't have the one in Bristol (now Seabra) I'm pretty sure that was an Almacs
DeleteI'll add it in. What is the address?
DeleteThere was one at 70 Pulaski Blvd in Bellingham and one at 8 Main St in Blackstone MA
DeleteDoes anyone here know when the first Almacs store opened? I found a vintage Coca Cola Almacs 50 year anniversary bottle and wanted to find some context for it.
ReplyDeleteWe used to shop at the Garden City Almacs. I remember the S&H green stamps, and the great Table Talk pies they carried. Whatever happened to squash pies? I took my husband home for Thanksgiving one year and all the stores had were pumpkin pies, no squash pies anymore. :-( Also remember the Silver Lake Almacs.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the address of the Silver Lake Almacs? Do you remember?
DeleteThe building still stands today and houses the Americana Expo Center which I believe is a flee market type operation the physical location is
Delete740 Plainfield St,
Providence, RI 02909
But Almacs employees and management referred to it as the Murray Street Store.
worked at Johnston store! Best job ever!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Almacs in Park Sq, Woonsocket had a bizarre automated restocking system with racks for cans that would feed in the next and some sort of conveyor belt circa 1950s. What was that?
ReplyDeleteThat bizarre system was known as a FOOO-A-MAT. It was in several stores including the Fairhaven Almacs Store 33. They were loaded from the rear. They were installed in the late 60s but they took up too much real estate and were not added to ones built later. Spent a lot of time cleaning up spills from broken glass jars crashing into each other.
DeleteThe Bristol RI store had the Food O Mat. I worked it full time. Yeah, come to think of it, they did take up a lot of space.
DeleteI remember shopping with my grandfather at the location in Silver Lake and waiting in the car for the bagged groceries to come out in the bin on the conveyor belt. Also picking out a toy in the S&H greenstamps book.
ReplyDeleteThere was an Almacs on Newman Avenue (Rt. 152) in Seekonk up near Baker's Corner, that became a Ro-Jack's, and is currently a Stop & Shop. They used to have a roller that the bagger would put your groceries into a small crate and they would roll them down the chute and they would come up outside the store where either you or another bagger would then load them into your car when you pulled up. Major fun for me and my cousins when we were kids. There was also another Almacs on Rt. 152 in North Attleboro across the street from where the RMV was, which also became a Ro-Jacks. As for the one on Washington Street in So. Attleboro that's now Yankee Spirits, I do remember it being a grocery store, but I'm not 100% sure I remember it as an Almacs, but it probably was.
ReplyDeleteThat was an Almac's where Yankee is now
DeleteThey had the same roller system at the store in Providence on the East Side (Waterman St). Would put your bagged groceries in a bin give you the number card and roll it down the ramp. You would drive up and they would put the bags in your car.
DeleteStarted as a service clerk at the park square Almacs in1972. I was transfered to the Cumberland Plaza store(was it store#22?)...so many good good memories there. Went from service clerk to ringing those big old brown registers.was being trained to stocking in paper aisle before I left in 1974.ahh yes the old parcel post...have a nice day button.
DeleteI cannot thank lemeridian funding service enough and letting people know how grateful I am for all the assistance that you and your team staff have provided and I look forward to recommending friends and family should they need financial advice or assistance @ 1,9% Rate for Business Loan .Via Contact : . lfdsloans@lemeridianfds.com / lfdsloans@outlook.com. WhatsApp...+ 19893943740. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Busarakham.
We use to live in Washington Park in Providence in the '60's. There was a Almacs on Eddy street I believe at the corner of Chapman street(it is SO different based on the current street view). They had that fantastic conveyor system and a awesome kid's area. Parents would drop the kids off in this space and we would have a ball playing with all the toys. Years latter I use to get my haircuts in the barber shop out front.
ReplyDeleteI sold technology products to Almanacs. I worked with the executive staff and the IT department, back then it was the data processing department. It was a pleasure to work with those folks. Always demanding but never unreasonable. Their attitude is a product of the culture that permeated the entire organization and it was very evident at the store level
ReplyDeleteGreat memories.
I remember the store in Riverside. They use to have metal tracks with wheels on it that went around the building and store employees would send your groceries out on the tracks so you could pull your car around and load the groceries directly into your trunk. I can't imagine anything going wrong in that scenario!! ����
ReplyDeleteWhy shop at Almac when Stop and Shop and the Big Gyp stores were just as dirty and filthy and closer to home?
ReplyDeleteThere was an article in the Providence Journal, many years ago. (I should have kept it.) It basically said that Almacs was a great place to work, and had loyal customers...until Almacs "went public" (i.e., sold stock). After that, the stockholders demanded higher and higher profits, even if they had to sacrifice product quality, customer satisfaction and employee morale. Would you agree?
ReplyDeletedoes anybody remember if there was an almax in Rumford Rhode Island in the plaza where the Star Market was and the Mammoth Mart?
ReplyDeleteMy brother worked at the Almacs in the north end of New Bedford in the late 70's to early 80's. He also said what a great place it was to work. Eddie Mulroy was the store manager and Henry Nelmes was the produce manager. We also had good conversations about the grocery business see ing I worked for First National also in New Bedford's north end. Does anyone remember that store?
ReplyDeleteMy first Job at the Fairhaven store and I would also work at the New Bedford store. Mr. Mulroy retired in the late 80’s. Really fond memories. The New Bedford store was pretty neat with the basement. Still open today as Trucci’s.
DeleteI worked at the Fairhaven store until closing, then the Dartmouth and NB stores. The two managers would work together with my schedule. Very thankful for them. Moved to Boston for college. Unfortunately, Almac’s couldn’t compete with Shaw’s. History repeats itself with Stop & Shop outdoing Shaw’s in Fairhaven today.
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DeleteI'm doing a map on overall Almacs locations, what's the address of the Fairhaven store?
DeleteMy map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1Svzyzm9WprMqT2_3Cp1U0YL_qNo&ll=42.005772889747256%2C-71.30112737397727&z=20
Almacs had chicken wings at the deli that were sold in foil lined paper bags. I am looking for a recipe for those wings or something that comes close to those. I have tried many recipes and haven't found anything similar to them. Any employees remember these that could post the recipe for the bbq sauce that was glazed on them?
DeleteSounds yummy
DeleteI worked at the Bristol store (#15). We had the parcel pickup thing where you put the groceries in the bin and sent it out on the rollers out to the curb to load in the customer's car. We stole cases of anti-freeze, expensive meats, and all sorts of other stuff by putting it in a bin, sending it out to the curb, and having one of our friends pick it up. We also filled all the door locks with super glue late one night when the store was closed so they couldn't get in the next morning.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a real douche bag.
DeleteI’m sure every employer loves having losers like you
Was there ever an almacs in cumberland. Where seabra is now located
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely I believe it was store 22
DeleteIt was #22. I worked there when #19 was converted to Food City.. BIG FLOP
DeleteYes, there was. There was also another Almacs in Cumberland, on Mendon Road, where Dollar Tree is now located, in the strip in front of Stop and Shop
ReplyDeleteWow...memories! I worked produce and deli in Almacs in Seekonk between 1972 and 1978 - store manager was Norm Monimoy, produce George Dalmajian, deli George Gince - loved working there. Great softball team!
ReplyDeleteMy first job was in Seekonk store from 76-79 in meat/deli dept. worked for George G. and Dan O’Grodnick. Then transferred to Johnston store. Store mgr in Seekonk was Bill Donnelly I believe.
DeleteDoes anyone know who made the chocolate roll with coffee filling? Or how to get the recipe?
ReplyDeleteYes my cousin Anthony who said it was a outside vendor who made it, he never got the recipe wishes he had
DeleteWas there an Almacs across from La Salle on Smith St ?
ReplyDeleteYes. Old store 1. Closed in 1967. When 34 opened.
DeleteStarted in 1974 at the warehouse in East Providence during the summer was hired full time in 1977 until the end in 1990
ReplyDeleteI shopped at the Lincoln Almacs in the mid 80's when I worked in a store at the Lincoln Mall and lived in Manville.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Market Basket is the closest thing we have now that resembles Almac’s. When you step inside one, it’s like taking a step back in time to the 20th century! It just has a very nostalgia feel, from the floor tiles to the employees uniforms. I was never old enough to experience Almac’s as they went under when I was like a year old, like most awesome things that disappeared in RI back then. Market Baskets prepared pizza is amazing and the chocolate chip cookies from the bakery taste homemade as well.
ReplyDeleteI understand why they’re always crowded! It’s a bit annoying they always are. But the prices are cheaper than Stop & Shop. The quality is better too. Even their logo is kinda similar to Almac’s font wise.
I worked in store 8 (Garden City) from 1976 to 1982. It was a great job for a high school / college student. I learned a lot about dealing with the public and was sorry to see it close. When Almacs first starting opening on Sundays, before it became mainstream, they paid us double time!
ReplyDelete