Fred G. Meyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fritz Grubmeyer (1886-02-21)February 21, 1886 Germany |
| Died | September 2, 1978(1978-09-02) (aged 92) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ashes scattered from a bridge over theSandy River nearWemme[1] |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Eva Chatfield Chiles[2] |
| Children | Earle A. Chiles (stepson)[2] |
Fred G. Meyer (February 21, 1886 – September 2, 1978)[3] was an American businessman who founded theOregon-basedFred Meyer store chain, which had 63 stores in four western states at the time of his death.[3][4] He was known for successfully introducing several innovativemarketing concepts.[5] He is credited for inventing the modernhypermarket.[6]
Born Fritz Grubmeyer inGermany in 1886,[a] Meyer came to the United States with his parents and older brother, William,[11] in 1889.[12] The family settled inBrooklyn,New York City, where Meyer completed his education up to the fifth grade and later worked in his father's grocery store.[13]
Leaving home at the age of 19, he traveled through the American West, prospecting for gold nearNome, Alaska.[14] Relocating toSeattle in 1906, Meyer worked for a small grocery and theGrand Union Tea Company until 1909, when he moved toPortland, Oregon.[15]
In 1910, Meyer's brother William and his family moved to Portland. William and Fred managed the Mission Tea Company, which rented a stall at the City Public Market.[16] Thereafter, Fred established a separate business using horse-drawn wagons to deliver coffee, tea, and spices to Portland residents and groceries to nearby logging camps and farms.[17] By 1911, Meyer was managing Mission Tea, and after a dispute with William, he acquired a new partner and renamed the business the Java Coffee Company.[18] Sometime after arriving in Portland,[19] Frederick Grubmeyer shortened his name to Fred G. Meyer; a 2001Oregonian article said the change was made "for convenience and maybe to save money on signs".[9]
In 1922, he joined forces with his brother Henry, who had also moved to Portland. Together over the next few years they incorporated four businesses, including Mybros Meat Market, OregonPiggly Wiggly, Pioneer Market Company (which leased space to vendors), and Mybros Inc., all in downtown Portland.[20] Differences of opinion between the brothers led to Henry's departure from the partnership,[9] and over time, Meyer expanded Mybros into theFred Meyer chain ofsupermarkets anddepartment stores.[9] A "self-service drugstore" that Meyer opened in 1928 in downtown Portland was considered the first of its kind in the nation.[9]
Meyer introduced innovativemarketing concepts; he is often credited as one of the originators of the "one-stop shopping" concept, when in 1931, he built the Hollywood Fred Meyer,[9][17] his first full-blockmegastore on NortheastSandy Boulevard at 42nd Avenue in Portland (now aRite Aid since the store's relocation to Hollywood West in 1988).
Meyer's wife, Eva, died in 1960.[17][21] Their marriage had lasted 40 years.[17] Eva Meyer was also secretary-treasurer of Fred Meyer Inc. until her death.[17] The couple had no children together, but Eva had one son from a previous marriage,Earle A. Chiles (namesake of theChiles Center), who also worked as an officer of the company.[17]
Meyer was opposed tozoning, specifically naming the model ofHouston, Texas, as a successful example.[21] He is considered a pioneer in roof parking in the attempt to dissipate traffic congestion and bring neighborhoods closer to his shopping centers.[22] The entire roof of his 22,750 square-foot Hollywood store, for example, was covered with a car park.[22] He continued to work regularly until his death, even after suffering a majorstroke in 1972.[9] In 1974, his company expanded into thesavings and loan business with the establishment of Fred Meyer Savings & Loan, which had 29 locations (in Fred Meyer stores) by 1978.[17] He was named Portland's "First Citizen" in 1976.[9]
Meyer died on September 2, 1978, at the age of 92, at his Portland home. He died in his sleep, but had been dealing with chronicheart disease and breathing difficulties in his last few years.[17] In its obituary, Portland'sThe Oregonian described Meyer as "the venerable merchant whose name and shopping-center empire have been linked for almost 70 years with the city's growth".[17] Oregon GovernorBob Straub was quoted as saying, "Oregon has lost one of its great citizens."[5]
Although known for living frugally, Meyer gave to many charities, in particular theSalvation Army, and became known for his philanthropy.[8][9] Upon his death, his stock in Fred Meyer established theMeyer Memorial Trust,[23] leaving behind $60 million to be used for "religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes."[21] He was cremated, and his remains were scattered in theSalmon River nearWemme onMount Hood.[1]
The Meyer Memorial Trust is distinct from the Fred Meyer Fund, controlled byKroger, which now owns Fred Meyer Stores.[24]