logo, 1941 2
The Oakland Wholesale Grocery Company (also known as the Oakland Wholesale Grocers' Group) was a group of independent grocery stores that joined together to reduce costs by combining their buying power. It was started by 3 men in 1912 with a desk in a back room at 533 Franklin St. 3
An article in 1918 says it was the buying and distribution organization for the Alameda County Retail Grocers' Association, and operated under its direction.
The company built a warehouse at the corner of 4th and Harrison in 1922. Saroni sugar occupied 1/2 the building. H.A. Davenport was president of the O-W company, George McDonald vice-president, and O.B. Palmer was secretary and buyer. An article says the company included 70 firms and over 100 stores. 3
In 1928, the company constructed a new warehouse building at 283 - 4th St. adjacent to the 1922 building. The concrete building was constructed by F.R. Siegrist. James E. Parish was the president of the O-W company, and O.H. Palmer was the secretary. 1
A 1941 ad lists 55 stores in Oakland, and more in Berkeley, Alameda, and San Leandro, and one as far away as Rodeo. 2
4th St. warehouse 2
1950 Sanborn excerpt
The 1950 Sanborn map shows them occupying much of the block. The 1928 warehouse is now signed as Allied Paper Company. The Saroni sugar company was at 295 - 4th St. from 1922 until the 1950s.
Waterfront Warehouse District sign
Links and References
- New Building For Wholesale Grocery Co. Oakland Tribune September 30, 1928
- Oakland Celebrating National Retail Grocers' Week Oakland Tribune October 18, 1941
- Retail Grocers Enterprise Will Build Own Home Oakland Tribune April 17, 1922
