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[[Image:Brunos logo.gif|right]] | [[Image:Brunos logo.gif|right]] | ||
'''Bruno's | '''Bruno's''' is a grocery store chain which once claimed more than 150 locations and employed 14,000 in its Bruno's, [[Food World]], [[Big B Drugs]], and '''Vincent's Market''' stores. As of September 2009, it currently is part of the [[Southern Family Markets]] chain, with 7 stores branded as Bruno's, all in Alabama. The lone remaining store in the Birmingham area is in [[Hoover]]. Southern Family's headquarters are located at 800 [[Lakeshore Parkway]]. | ||
== History == | |||
[[Image:Bruno's interior 1958.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Interior of the Fairfield Bruno's in October 1958. Photograph by Charles Preston {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,1884}}]] | |||
[[Joe Bruno]] founded the first store, called '''Bruno's Bros. Grocery''', in [[1932]] with a $600 investment from his family. He operated the 800 square foot store with his brothers [[Angelo Bruno|Angelo]], [[Lee Bruno|Lee]], and [[Anthony Bruno|Anthony]]. | [[Joe Bruno]] founded the first store, called '''Bruno's Bros. Grocery''', in [[1932]] with a $600 investment from his family. He operated the 800 square foot store with his brothers [[Angelo Bruno|Angelo]], [[Lee Bruno|Lee]], and [[Anthony Bruno|Anthony]]. | ||
By [[1959]] the brothers had expanded the operation to 10 stores. They filed for incorporation and, over the course of the 1960s, opened 20 more stores across the state and launched the Big B Discount Drugs chain. During this period, the stores used "Bruno the Bear" as a mascot, with a cartoon bear appearing on signs and advertisements and a costumed bear appearing at special events and store opening. | By [[1959]] the brothers had expanded the operation to 10 stores. They filed for incorporation and, over the course of the 1960s, opened 20 more stores across the state and launched the Big B Discount Drugs chain. During this period, the stores used "Bruno the Bear" as a mascot, with a cartoon bear appearing on signs and advertisements and a costumed bear appearing at special events and store opening. | ||
[[Image:1960s Brunos logo.png|thumb|left|125px|1960s-era logo]] | |||
The Food World chain of larger discount supermarkets was launched in [[1972]] with capital raised from the company's first public stock offering in [[1971]]. Bruno's began moving away from the Bruno's name, opening stores under the Food World and '''Consumer Warehouse Foods''' names, and converting existing Bruno's to those names. | |||
Joe Bruno retired as CEO in [[1977]]. When the company celebrated it's 50th anniversary in [[1983]] it had 51 grocery stores in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia, as well as 40 Big B stores and three warehouses. It began purchasing rival '''Food Fair''' stores that year, and launched the '''FoodMax''' brand in [[1984]]. The Consumer Warehouse Foods name was dropped around this time as well. In [[1985]] Bruno's constructed a massive [[400 Industrial Drive|Distribution Center]] at 400 [[Industrial Drive]] off of [[Lakeshore Parkway]] in [[Oxmoor neighborhood|Oxmoor]]. | |||
In [[1988]] the company founded Vincent's Market, named for Joe's father, [[Vincent Bruno]], who emigrated to Birmingham from Sicily in [[1908]]. | |||
The chain was sold to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $1.2 billion in [[1995]]. Three years later, with nearly $1 billion in debt, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. It came out of bankruptcy protection in [[2000]] and acquired 19 '''Delchamp's''' stores in January [[2001]]. | The company suffered a severe shock when Angelo Bruno and several other executives died in a plane crash near Rome, Georgia in [[1991]]. Angelo's son [[Ronald Bruno]], already President and CEO, took over as Chairman. The Senior Tour golf tournament he had been planning began play in [[1992]] as the [[Bruno's Memorial Classic]]. A planned "American Fare" joint venture with K-Mart stores was scuttled. | ||
The chain was sold to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $1.2 billion in [[1995]]. Ronald Bruno resigned shortly thereafter. Three years later, with nearly $1 billion in debt, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. It came out of bankruptcy protection in [[2000]] and acquired 19 '''Delchamp's''' stores in January [[2001]]. | |||
In December [[2001]] it was acquired by Royal Ahold for $500 million. It was sold again, in December [[2005]] to Lone Star Funds, which merged the company headquarters into its Bi-Lo chain, based in South Carolina. It also sold 60 of the stores to New Hampshire's C&S Wholesale Grocers, which subsequently placed its [[Southern Family Markets]] divisional headquarters in the former Bruno's headquarters in [[Birmingham]]. | In December [[2001]] it was acquired by Royal Ahold for $500 million. It was sold again, in December [[2005]] to Lone Star Funds, which merged the company headquarters into its Bi-Lo chain, based in South Carolina. It also sold 60 of the stores to New Hampshire's C&S Wholesale Grocers, which subsequently placed its [[Southern Family Markets]] divisional headquarters in the former Bruno's headquarters in [[Birmingham]]. | ||
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Lone Star spun Bruno's off from Bi-Lo in March [[2007]] and returned its headquarters to Birmingham. The company currently operates 65 stores in Alabama and north Florida. It employs 5,100, of which 3,000 are in the Birmingham metropolitan area. | Lone Star spun Bruno's off from Bi-Lo in March [[2007]] and returned its headquarters to Birmingham. The company currently operates 65 stores in Alabama and north Florida. It employs 5,100, of which 3,000 are in the Birmingham metropolitan area. | ||
In September [[2008]] the company announced plans to remodel | Between the third quarters of [[2006]] and [[2008]] Bruno's market share in Birmingham fell from 22% to just over 11% as Wal-Mart and Publix entered the area's supermarket business. During that period 14 of the region's 36 locations were shuttered. In September [[2008]] the company announced plans to remodel its remaining stores and construct three new ones. It hired Glendale, California-based Palladeo to conduct market research and generate retail strategies and designs for store upgrades and brand identity. | ||
In February [[2009]] the company again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [[Kent Moore]] stepped down as CEO and was replaced by turnaround specialist Jim Grady of New York's Alvarez and Marshal. The chain plans to continue operating as it reorganizes. | In February [[2009]] the company again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [[Kent Moore]] stepped down as CEO and was replaced by turnaround specialist Jim Grady of New York's Alvarez and Marshal. The chain plans to continue operating as it reorganizes. | ||
On [[April 30]], 2009, as part of Bruno's bankruptcy proceedings, pending court approval, [[Southern Family Markets]] agreed to purchase 31 Bruno's locations on a "going concern" basis along with the remaining 25 Bruno's stores for liquidation in a $45.8 million deal. The purchase returned Southern Family to a retail presence in metro Birmingham, with six Bruno's and Food World locations remaining open; another 12 locations in the metro area closed. Southern Family sold 57 stores to [[Belle Foods]] in [[2012]]. | |||
==Locations== | ==Locations== | ||
* | [[File:Bruno's super market 6512 1st.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Bruno's Super Market in Wahouma]] | ||
* 407 [[19th Street North Bessemer|19th Street North]], [[Bessemer]] (opened [[February 22]], [[1956]]) | |||
* | * Store No. 8: 1520 [[31st Street Southwest]], [[Powderly]] (opened [[September 19]], [[1956]]) | ||
* Store No. 9: 2412 [[29th Avenue North]], [[North Birmingham]] (1970) | |||
* | * Store No. 11: 1218 [[6th Avenue South]], Birmingham (opened 1960, converted to [[Food Fair]]) | ||
* | * Store No. 12: 3217 [[Court V Ensley]] | ||
* | * Store No. 14: 2200 [[Avenue D Ensley]] | ||
* | * 1533 [[Montclair Road]], Birmingham (closed May 2009) | ||
* [[Five Points West]] | * [[Five Points West]] | ||
* [[Dora]] (opened August [[1968]]) | * [[Dora]] (opened August [[1968]]) | ||
* [[Jasper]] | * [[Jasper]] | ||
* [[Fairfield]] | * [[Fairfield]] | ||
* [[Woodlawn]] | * [[Woodlawn]] | ||
* 6512 [[1st Avenue North]] in [[Wahouma]] | |||
* [[Pratt City]] | * [[Pratt City]] | ||
* Store No. 23: 1212 [[26th Street North]] | |||
* Store No. 29: 1155 [[Bankhead Highway]] (1970) | |||
* Store No. 31: 222 [[Gadsden Highway]], [[Roebuck Plaza]] | |||
* Store No. 35: 144 [[65th Street North]] | |||
* 1675 [[Center Point Parkway]], [[Center Point]] (closed May 2009) | |||
* 335 [[Summit Boulevard]], [[The Summit]], [[Birmingham]] (closed May 2009) | |||
* 1564 [[Montgomery Highway (Hoover)|Montgomery Highway]], [[Hoover]] (closed May 2009) | |||
* 3780 [[Riverchase Village Shopping Center|Riverchase Village]], Hoover | |||
* 509 [[Alabama Highway 119]], [[Alabaster]] (closed 2009) | |||
* 126 [[Wildwood Parkway]], [[Wildwood]], [[Homewood]] (closed 2009) | |||
* 100 [[Inverness Corners]], Birmingham (closed May 2009) | |||
* 2250 [[Alabama Highway 150]], Hoover (opened December [[2001]], closed May 2009) | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Grossman, Laurie M., and Martha Brannigan (December 12, 1991) "Six Bruno's Officials and Three Others Die in Jet Crash During Goodwill Tour." ''Wall Street Journal'' | |||
* "Bruno's After the Crash" (July 6, 1992) ''Forbes'' | |||
* "Brokers Hail Bruno's, Winn-Dixie." (July 1996) ''Frozen Food Age'' | |||
* Goodman, Sherri C. (August 19, 2007) "Now Texas-owned, grocery chain dates to 1932, wants to recapture local loyalties." ''Birmingham News'' | * Goodman, Sherri C. (August 19, 2007) "Now Texas-owned, grocery chain dates to 1932, wants to recapture local loyalties." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Wells, Russell and Tim Hollis (January 13, 2007) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/brunos.htm Bruno's Food Stores] at [[Birmingham Rewound]]. | * Wells, Russell and Tim Hollis (January 13, 2007) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/brunos.htm Bruno's Food Stores] at [[Birmingham Rewound]]. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.brunos.com | * [http://www.brunos.com/ Bruno's] website | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Bruno's|*]] | ||
[[Category:Lakeshore Parkway]] | |||
[[Category:1932 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:2009 disestablishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:13, 21 October 2019
Bruno's is a grocery store chain which once claimed more than 150 locations and employed 14,000 in its Bruno's, Food World, Big B Drugs, and Vincent's Market stores. As of September 2009, it currently is part of the Southern Family Markets chain, with 7 stores branded as Bruno's, all in Alabama. The lone remaining store in the Birmingham area is in Hoover. Southern Family's headquarters are located at 800 Lakeshore Parkway.
History
Joe Bruno founded the first store, called Bruno's Bros. Grocery, in 1932 with a $600 investment from his family. He operated the 800 square foot store with his brothers Angelo, Lee, and Anthony.
By 1959 the brothers had expanded the operation to 10 stores. They filed for incorporation and, over the course of the 1960s, opened 20 more stores across the state and launched the Big B Discount Drugs chain. During this period, the stores used "Bruno the Bear" as a mascot, with a cartoon bear appearing on signs and advertisements and a costumed bear appearing at special events and store opening.
The Food World chain of larger discount supermarkets was launched in 1972 with capital raised from the company's first public stock offering in 1971. Bruno's began moving away from the Bruno's name, opening stores under the Food World and Consumer Warehouse Foods names, and converting existing Bruno's to those names.
Joe Bruno retired as CEO in 1977. When the company celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 1983 it had 51 grocery stores in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia, as well as 40 Big B stores and three warehouses. It began purchasing rival Food Fair stores that year, and launched the FoodMax brand in 1984. The Consumer Warehouse Foods name was dropped around this time as well. In 1985 Bruno's constructed a massive Distribution Center at 400 Industrial Drive off of Lakeshore Parkway in Oxmoor.
In 1988 the company founded Vincent's Market, named for Joe's father, Vincent Bruno, who emigrated to Birmingham from Sicily in 1908.
The company suffered a severe shock when Angelo Bruno and several other executives died in a plane crash near Rome, Georgia in 1991. Angelo's son Ronald Bruno, already President and CEO, took over as Chairman. The Senior Tour golf tournament he had been planning began play in 1992 as the Bruno's Memorial Classic. A planned "American Fare" joint venture with K-Mart stores was scuttled.
The chain was sold to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $1.2 billion in 1995. Ronald Bruno resigned shortly thereafter. Three years later, with nearly $1 billion in debt, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. It came out of bankruptcy protection in 2000 and acquired 19 Delchamp's stores in January 2001.
In December 2001 it was acquired by Royal Ahold for $500 million. It was sold again, in December 2005 to Lone Star Funds, which merged the company headquarters into its Bi-Lo chain, based in South Carolina. It also sold 60 of the stores to New Hampshire's C&S Wholesale Grocers, which subsequently placed its Southern Family Markets divisional headquarters in the former Bruno's headquarters in Birmingham.
Lone Star spun Bruno's off from Bi-Lo in March 2007 and returned its headquarters to Birmingham. The company currently operates 65 stores in Alabama and north Florida. It employs 5,100, of which 3,000 are in the Birmingham metropolitan area.
Between the third quarters of 2006 and 2008 Bruno's market share in Birmingham fell from 22% to just over 11% as Wal-Mart and Publix entered the area's supermarket business. During that period 14 of the region's 36 locations were shuttered. In September 2008 the company announced plans to remodel its remaining stores and construct three new ones. It hired Glendale, California-based Palladeo to conduct market research and generate retail strategies and designs for store upgrades and brand identity.
In February 2009 the company again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Kent Moore stepped down as CEO and was replaced by turnaround specialist Jim Grady of New York's Alvarez and Marshal. The chain plans to continue operating as it reorganizes.
On April 30, 2009, as part of Bruno's bankruptcy proceedings, pending court approval, Southern Family Markets agreed to purchase 31 Bruno's locations on a "going concern" basis along with the remaining 25 Bruno's stores for liquidation in a $45.8 million deal. The purchase returned Southern Family to a retail presence in metro Birmingham, with six Bruno's and Food World locations remaining open; another 12 locations in the metro area closed. Southern Family sold 57 stores to Belle Foods in 2012.
Locations
- 407 19th Street North, Bessemer (opened February 22, 1956)
- Store No. 8: 1520 31st Street Southwest, Powderly (opened September 19, 1956)
- Store No. 9: 2412 29th Avenue North, North Birmingham (1970)
- Store No. 11: 1218 6th Avenue South, Birmingham (opened 1960, converted to Food Fair)
- Store No. 12: 3217 Court V Ensley
- Store No. 14: 2200 Avenue D Ensley
- 1533 Montclair Road, Birmingham (closed May 2009)
- Five Points West
- Dora (opened August 1968)
- Jasper
- Fairfield
- Woodlawn
- 6512 1st Avenue North in Wahouma
- Pratt City
- Store No. 23: 1212 26th Street North
- Store No. 29: 1155 Bankhead Highway (1970)
- Store No. 31: 222 Gadsden Highway, Roebuck Plaza
- Store No. 35: 144 65th Street North
- 1675 Center Point Parkway, Center Point (closed May 2009)
- 335 Summit Boulevard, The Summit, Birmingham (closed May 2009)
- 1564 Montgomery Highway, Hoover (closed May 2009)
- 3780 Riverchase Village, Hoover
- 509 Alabama Highway 119, Alabaster (closed 2009)
- 126 Wildwood Parkway, Wildwood, Homewood (closed 2009)
- 100 Inverness Corners, Birmingham (closed May 2009)
- 2250 Alabama Highway 150, Hoover (opened December 2001, closed May 2009)
References
- Grossman, Laurie M., and Martha Brannigan (December 12, 1991) "Six Bruno's Officials and Three Others Die in Jet Crash During Goodwill Tour." Wall Street Journal
- "Bruno's After the Crash" (July 6, 1992) Forbes
- "Brokers Hail Bruno's, Winn-Dixie." (July 1996) Frozen Food Age
- Goodman, Sherri C. (August 19, 2007) "Now Texas-owned, grocery chain dates to 1932, wants to recapture local loyalties." Birmingham News
- Wells, Russell and Tim Hollis (January 13, 2007) "Bruno's Food Stores at Birmingham Rewound.
- Kent, Dawn (September 10, 2008) "Bruno's to roll out new look." Birmingham News
- Kent, Dawn "Bruno's markets file for second bankruptcy" (February 6, 2009) Birmingham News
External links
- Bruno's website