Milgram Food Stores
Milgram Food Stores
Young Nat Milgram moved with his family from New Jersey to Kansas City, Missouri in the early 1900’s. His first foray into business was the purchase of a paper delivery route for the Kansas City Star newspaper. By 1913, 20-year-old Nat had saved enough money to open his first Milgram Food Store at 18th and Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
In just ten years, the family-run business opened 35 stores throughout Kansas City. Nat managed the business while his three brothers and five brothers-in-law managed area stores. In 1929, Milgram merged with Kroger’s.
However, by 1932, just three years later, Nat set out on his own again to restart his Milgram brand. Using the motto “Hi Neighbor!”, Milgram’s declared its intention to support each community it served. At Nat’s passing in 1958, Milgram was the largest food chain in Kansas City.
Lester Milgram succeeded his father. A 1934 graduate of Southwest High School known for his towering 6’ 7” presence, his steadfast support of Kansas City, and his passion for sports and music, Lester was seen on more than one occasion in the company of Harry and Bess Truman, be it while visiting the Truman Library or when attending a Kansas City Athletics baseball game. FYI, Lester’s father, Nat, attended Harry’s inauguration.
Most importantly, Lester kept company leadership in the family. With the help of brothers-in-law William Klein and Stuart Wien, Lester grew the business, building new, up-to-date stores across greater Kansas City, southern Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, boasting 61 locations by 1968.
Milgram was a truly iconic business name in Kansas City. Its “Hi Neighbor!” motto, depicted with the friendly and welcoming smile of its logo, came to symbolize Milgram’s rich history of community involvement. In addition to loyal customers, the family-run business culture earned thousands of devoted Milgram employees.
“Hi, neighbor! Hi, neighbor! What do you know, and what do you say?”
A catchy tune from the 1941 film San Antonio Rose became the long-time theme song for Milgram’s. With words and lyrics by Jack Owens, the opening stanza was used for the grocer’s radio and television ads for multiple years.
Many will recall “Hi neighbor! This is Janie from Milgram’s.” Actress and singer, Janie Fopeano, was the face and voice of Milgram’s advertising during the 1970s and 80s, highlighting weekly grocery specials in local television commercials while the “Hi Neighbor!” theme song played in the background.
These “Janie” commercials, by the way, were created by Bernstein-Rein Advertising, the namesake ad agency of LUMI board member and visionary Bob Bernstein. They attracted the attention of then future billionaire Sam Walton when seeking an ad agency to promote his up-and-coming Wal-Mart brand. The result was a 25-plus year business relationship between Wal-Mart and Bernstein-Rein.
In later years, Milgram operated 61 stores, including its Save Mart subsidiary, as well as three dairies. The company remained family-owned until Wetterau, Inc. acquired Milgram Food Stores in 1984. Soon after, Wetterau was acquired by SuperValu, and gradually all the previous Milgram stores closed.
Young Nat Milgram moved with his family from New Jersey to Kansas City, Missouri in the early 1900’s. His first foray into business was the purchase of a paper delivery route for the Kansas City Star newspaper. By 1913, 20-year-old Nat had saved enough money to open his first Milgram Food Store at 18th and Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
In just ten years, the family-run business opened 35 stores throughout Kansas City. Nat managed the business while his three brothers and five brothers-in-law managed area stores. In 1929, Milgram merged with Kroger’s.
However, by 1932, just three years later, Nat set out on his own again to restart his Milgram brand. Using the motto “Hi Neighbor!”, Milgram’s declared its intention to support each community it served. At Nat’s passing in 1958, Milgram was the largest food chain in Kansas City.
Lester Milgram succeeded his father. A 1934 graduate of Southwest High School known for his towering 6’ 7” presence, his steadfast support of Kansas City, and his passion for sports and music, Lester was seen on more than one occasion in the company of Harry and Bess Truman, be it while visiting the Truman Library or when attending a Kansas City Athletics baseball game. FYI, Lester’s father, Nat, attended Harry’s inauguration.
Most importantly, Lester kept company leadership in the family. With the help of brothers-in-law William Klein and Stuart Wien, Lester grew the business, building new, up-to-date stores across greater Kansas City, southern Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, boasting 61 locations by 1968.
Milgram was a truly iconic business name in Kansas City. Its “Hi Neighbor!” motto, depicted with the friendly and welcoming smile of its logo, came to symbolize Milgram’s rich history of community involvement. In addition to loyal customers, the family-run business culture earned thousands of devoted Milgram employees.
“Hi, neighbor! Hi, neighbor! What do you know, and what do you say?”
A catchy tune from the 1941 film San Antonio Rose became the long-time theme song for Milgram’s. With words and lyrics by Jack Owens, the opening stanza was used for the grocer’s radio and television ads for multiple years.
Many will recall “Hi neighbor! This is Janie from Milgram’s.” Actress and singer, Janie Fopeano, was the face and voice of Milgram’s advertising during the 1970s and 80s, highlighting weekly grocery specials in local television commercials while the “Hi Neighbor!” theme song played in the background.
These “Janie” commercials, by the way, were created by Bernstein-Rein Advertising, the namesake ad agency of LUMI board member and visionary Bob Bernstein. They attracted the attention of then future billionaire Sam Walton when seeking an ad agency to promote his up-and-coming Wal-Mart brand. The result was a 25-plus year business relationship between Wal-Mart and Bernstein-Rein.
In later years, Milgram operated 61 stores, including its Save Mart subsidiary, as well as three dairies. The company remained family-owned until Wetterau, Inc. acquired Milgram Food Stores in 1984. Soon after, Wetterau was acquired by SuperValu, and gradually all the previous Milgram stores closed.
