ALEXANDRIA, VA - The birth of the modern convenience store has its roots in the Texas ice business. The lack of mechanical refrigeration in the home and the early closing of Southern grocery stores prompted the opening of ice "sub-stations" where people could go to get ice during the summer months. One entrepreneur, John Green, who managed such a station, changed the industry forever when he put forth his plan: his ice station would stay open throughout the year, and sell staples such as bread and milk.
The owners of the station were opposed to the idea at first, but when he offered to work through the winter and split the profits with them, they agreed. The following summer, he handed them profits of about $1,000 ?" not a bad sum in the 1920s!
"That??s really how the convenience store industry started," recalls Past NACS President David Neale. "Johnny Green wanted a job through the winter months."
We??re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, but we wouldn??t be here without you! Share your photos, videos and memories of the convenience channel and we'll add them to our photo and video galleries. Visit nacs50.com/participate for more information.