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Kids & Family

Before There Was Safeway ...

Campbell's first grocer store.

This week's history photo takes us back to what retail looked like in the 1800s.

This black and white image depicts Campbell's First Grocery with four people out front in various position. Painted on the store front is "C.L. Willett, Dealer in General Merchandise."   

The location of the grocery store was to the right of the Campbell Hall, on the south side of Campbell Avenue between Central and the Railroad tracks. 

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The store is believed to have opened as early as 1889, and was sold to the Farmer's Union in 1894. This early image shows just the General Merchandise side before the Hay and Grain side was added to the right. 

The image is believed to be from the "Santa Clara County Free Library, San Jose, Calif."  Written in black ink on the back of the photograph is "First Grocery Store in Campbell."

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Did you enjoy today's image? Check out all the past images in the "History in Photos" page here.

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