Fancy & Staples

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Fancy & Staples

In the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, a man, who could be called the Godfather of American grocery, was born, around 1814.? His name was Samuel T. Wilcox.? He would move from Virginia and establish himself in Cincinnati, Ohio as a real estate mogul, hotelier, and grocery store owner prior to the abolition slavery in the nation.

In 1850, Wilcox wanted to establish a high-end grocery store.? He named his store Fancy & Staples Grocery, and it would sell items such as cigars, liquors, jellies and jams, top-rate hams, vegetables and fruits, seafood, grains and teas.? His retail empire would generate the equivalent of $4.2 million annually in today’s dollars.? He would later expand to wholesale markets on the east coast.

Wilcox was a true visionary.? He saw the need for a luxury grocery shopping option that offered many goods under one roof.? Does this retail concept sound familiar?