Schaffer Stores Company was a small grocerychain store based inSchenectady, New York. The business gained valuable experience by running a self-servicegrocery store beginning in 1929. Schaffer's first supermarket, called Empire Market, opened in 1933.[1]
The business was founded by Henry Schaffer (1890 - December 16, 1982). A native ofPoland who came to Schenectady in his youth, he lived in Schenectady at the time of his death fromleukemia.
Schaffer formed Schaffer Stores Company in 1907.[2] He operated 31 stores by 1922.[3] In 25 years the firm grew to include 185 stores in theHudson Valley,Mohawk Valley, and westernMassachusetts.[2]
The chain was acquired byGrand Union (supermarket) in June 1958 for approximately $8 million.[4] Grand Union, based in EastPaterson, New Jersey, operated 472 supermarkets. At the time, Schaffer ran 41grocery stores, the majority of which were supermarkets.[5]