Robert Stinnett - Burn Before Reading - Latest Comments

Re: National Supermarkets

Richard Garrett — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:13:17 -0000

I remember the National store in the Village Square shopping center in Hazelwood when I was a kid. The family shopped there frequently and I have fond memories of that store. It really did serve the neighborhood.

Re: National Supermarkets

waynemasters73 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:20:24 -0000

I grew up in Buffalo, and our "Loblaws spinoff" was Bells Markets. Bells carried both Presidents Choice and National Brand. Not sure about National Markets in St Louis, but Bells distribution centre was Peter J Schmidt/Sunfresh in West Seneca, NY. Of course all Presidents Choice products were made in Ontario. One interesting "factoid", in Erie, PA - they had 7 Loblaws stores - actually operating under the Loblaw name. Bells Markets in Buffalo and Loblaws in Erie both folded about the same time National folded in St Louis - around 1999 or 2000. Bells and Loblaws were both bought out by Penn Traffic in Syracuse and operate under the name "Quality Markets" - www.qualitymarkets.com - One more interesting factoid - if you're ever in Erie, PA - the Quality Market on Peach St @ Liberty Plaza (formerly a Loblaws) the building still has the typical Loblaws "L" built into the building design on the left side of the store - this can be seen on Google Maps (3700 Liberty St Erie, PA 16508).

Re: National Supermarkets

Wayne Masters — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:16:46 -0000

Re: National Supermarkets

RobertStinnett — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:04:44 -0000

Gregory -

I believe his name was Al Lewis, but cannot say for certain -- though several other people have also mentioned they believe his first name was Al. I believe he is still doing commercials, as I swore I saw him on one of those late night "cash for gold" commercials.

Robert

Re: National Supermarkets

Gregory — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:11:19 -0000

What was the name of the National Spokesperson, I believe his last name was Lewis but can't remember for sure.

Does anybody remember?

Thanks

Re: My Review of Windows 7: Up and Running

RobertStinnett — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:46:45 -0000

:-) Glad you enjoyed it! It's a good book, but I think a bit too basic for experts like yourself!

Re: My Review of Windows 7: Up and Running

technogran — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:37:54 -0000

Thanks for the mention in your first sentence Robert. :) Good post.

Re: Windows 7 in 77 Seconds – Desktop Slideshow

vzqk48 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:07:05 -0000

Cool - well done!

Re: Angry, Old, White Men

billrobbins — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:46:27 -0000

I've noticed this same demographic since the tea baggers began protesting. To be fair, there is some diversity, but not much.

But now it's the visible rifles and handguns at the rallies that unnerve me. Who brings an assault rifle to protest a president's town hall? Doesn't that just make the job of the secret service all the more difficult?

Re: Why Do You Need My Address and Phone Number?

Seika — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:14:17 -0000

Agree, the alternate validation service is really motivating to engage in discussions (except if the ongoing discussion looks intimidating).

But on the issue of registration and personally identifiable informations, are peoples these days doesn’t post bogus informations when registering anymore?
Professional who needed their real name or services that need offline contact aside, those sites doesn’t really need even real name right, just a username/handle name.

Re: Kmart – Sedalia, Missouri

Horratio — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:47:33 -0000

Since this store is from "1974" as you state, then you may realize the floor tile is a "hot" asbestos store requiring a substantial amount of capital to replace just a small group of tiles. The expenditure to replace 3-5 tiles can exceed $5K. If you extrapulate the amount it would cost to replace just the checkout tiles, the cost would exceed this store's annual EBITDA contribution to the company. Just my .02, though I agree with your comments. Trying to give the objective business perspective.

Re: Are Blogs So 2000 and late?

RobertStinnett — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:24:49 -0000

I'm not advocating the elimination of blogs -- like you said, in this case the only way I could express my opinion was through a blog entry. However, I think that for the majority of communications taking place bogs are not the best place nowadays. They require more thought and time than most of us are willing to dedicate to it. Our society is moving so fast that I argue people just don't have time to read these things anymore on a day to day basis -- only on those rare occassions where we occassionally have something important to say.

Re: Are Blogs So 2000 and late?

technogran — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:08:03 -0000

Yes Robert but where do most of the twitters take you to? Apart from websites? Why folks blogs of course! And as for Facebook, its the one site that I often feel I could do without. Yes blogging is time consuming simply because you are adding more words to it, but is twitter enough to convey your message? You blogged this didn't you? How could you have expressed these thoughts without putting them on this page and being able to be more detailed in doing so! Blogging is still the main area in my opinion for most of us.

Re: Are Blogs So 2000 and late?

CourtneyWalsh — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:30:07 -0000

Nicely put: I was trying to do was fit my lifestyle to the tool instead of the tool helping me with my life.

You talk a lot about the power of real-time search so I wanted to point you toward www.OneRiot.com - I think you'll like it to find what is going on right now from across the web incl. Twitter, Digg others. Let me know what you think and thanks for the post! -Courtney

Re: National Supermarkets

RobertStinnett — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:30:20 -0000

Sarah,

I remember the store and I also remember the "concerts" if you want to call them that. National was so good about supporting the local community -- something that really set them apart. Customer service was above and beyond -- something you just don't see nowadays.

Re: National Supermarkets

Sarah — Sat, 30 May 2009 20:10:49 -0000

I remember as a young child shopping at National supermarket with my grandmother on Southwest Avenue in St.louis and just watching the commercials bought back so many wonderful memories of the area. I've been gone from St.Louis for 15 years but myself and my family will be returning to The Hill this fall, but it just won't be the same without seeing the national store logo. I wish they would bring them back, they had everything you needed and the staff was always so friendly to me.

**Also mental note to all who went to theSouthwest Avenue location, do you remember the Shaw Visual and Performing Arts school that was across the street from the store? If you do you should remember how the strings department lead by Mrs. Blue came over there almost every Christmas and had the strings department perform for the coustomers. I was one of the lucky young children that got to do that as I used to play the cello in school**

Re: Lights, Camera, Action!

Bill Robbins — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:01:20 -0000

Robert,

It was great having you and the team down in Houston. You guys are real stars.

Re: My name is Robert Stinnett, and this is my brand

Anil — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:36:07 -0000

Hey Buddy!

Didn't knew you are this funny. You are on right track for Step#1 as I could see you eating the right food. Best of Luck! And, its been a nuce experience knowing you...

Anil

Re: National Supermarkets

Adam — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:30:13 -0000

Have you heard about the security guard who was shot and killed at the Schnucks in East St. Louis? This store was a former National (#39). It was scheduled to close, but has been remodeled. The exterior facade has gone from brown to white. (This facade is similar to #15 and #84). It's a different look, but I like it. Also, the 10-year anniversary of National's final bowing out was this past Sunday, the 12th.

Like your site...let me know if you think I should add anything to mine...

Re: National Supermarkets

Frank A. D. — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:36:27 -0000

It's great to see people still remember National. I'm a former employee of the "new" National Markets (as a cashier and then later as a stocker) in Fairview Heights, Illinois. I was proud to work for National, but was disappointed at the scandal and eventual closer of the Family Company. I have proudly held on to my National apron and name tag. I might even still have some circulars advertising the weekly specials of the "new" National boxed up in the garage. I just wish I had some interior and exterior pictures of the market to share.

I think that if circumstances had been different, and if the owners would have considered a different angle, rather than another supermarket chain to compete with Schnuck's and other established chains, the Family Company could have made it huge.

Back in the '90s when the new Family Company was new, I think they should have aimed at a market that I don't believe was being targeted in the St. Louis area yet. Organic and health foods. Chains like "Whole Foods" are very popular now, even in the St. Louis area. But if this market had been tested, and expanded on back then, Family Company might still be in business and doing very well, perhaps even dominating the organic and health foods arena in the St. Louis area which is home to millions of shoppers. Perhaps Family Company could have named the new chain "National Organix" or some variation thereof. The motif could have included brightly light, colorful markets, full of strategically placed fresh produce and other groceries, just as soon as you walk through the entrances.

But, we know this didn't happen, and now we are left with our memories. I hope that this web-site will acquire more pictures of the former National Supermarkets and "new" National Markets stores to share. Thanks.

Re: National Supermarkets

Pat Maginn — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:35:06 -0000

I think back to when all this was going on, the sale of National to Schnucks and all the lives it turned upside down, the FTC, the agreement to sell off some stores and how the stores were let to go to hell and I remember it was joked backed then that the Schnucks brothers went to Jay Nixson and said " Take care of this and maybe you'll be governor some day" Guess What? I also wrote to the Post Dispatch back in 2001 and questioned a reporter there about his article on Jim Gibson asking him if he believed Schnucks sold to Gibson knowing he would fail. He wrote me back saying he actualluy knew of people who attemped to alert proper authorties about Gibson and that a sale to Kroger or Safeway or Albersons would be more in line. Someone must have known about Gibson. Some one must have asked where he came up with the money? But as he said when he wrote me back " if you have the cash, they don't care how you got it". Someone should have cared and maybe National would still be here.

Re: My name is Robert Stinnett, and this is my brand

marc bledsoe — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:19:01 -0000

Like a chicken in spring. I can't wait to see what happens in the next three months.

Re: National Supermarkets

Bill Lieberman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:39:19 -0000

Store #
Address
Square Footage
Additional Information

10 8319 Jennings Station Road, St. Louis, MO 50,317 Currently Vacant,

15
2700 South Grand, St. Louis, MO *
30,000

Still a Food store
16
1589 Sierra Vista Plaza, St. Louis, MO 56,201
Currently a Schnucks store.

20
91 North Oaks Plaza, Northwoods, MO
26,750 Save a lot food store and something else

21
715 North State Street, Litchfield, IL
This store closed before the buyout in 1995.

22
850 Jungermann Road, St. Peters, MO *
47,000
Currently a Worldwide Liquidators (tools) store.

27
4171 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO
53,000 Currently a Schnucks store. former Kroger store also then Natioanl
29
2222 Troy Road, Edwardsville, IL 61,000
Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster

30
5433 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis, MO *
28,000
Save a lot and Family Dollar tore

33
49 North Florissant, Ferguson, MO 54,100 Former Kroger Store

35
1716 Vandalia, Collinsville, IL * 30,000
National building demolished; Aldi store built on the site.

36
2675 Northtown Way, Highland, IL 28,000

39
2511 State Street, East St. Louis, IL 32,490 Currently a Schnucks store.
42
738 North Market, Waterloo, IL 31,000
Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster

44
4715 Caseyville Avenue, Washington Park, IL
This store closed before the buyout in 1995.

45
6 South Old Orchard, Webster Groves, MO * 27,000
Now a Office complex

46
10431 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO * 43,482
Former Kroger Store
Tool Store now
47
13041 New Halls Ferry, Florissant, MO *
27,000

50
8945 Riverview, St. Louis, MO * 26,000
Closed vacant

51
950 Loughborough, St. Louis, MO 50,000 National building demolished as part of redevelopment.
57
3830 South Grand, St. Louis, MO
US Banks Payment Center

58
60 Hampton Village Plaza, St. Louis, MO
Currently a Schnucks store.
60
1605 South Jefferson, St. Louis, MO * 45,528
Former Kroger Store
Was a National

61
1600 Dielman Road, Overland, MO 43,234 Former Kroger Store; Currently a Furniture City location.

62
421 North Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO * 27,280
Currently a Global Food Market store.

63
7434 Olive, University City, MO * 33,000
Former Kroger Store

64
1290 Camp Jackson, Cahokia, IL * 32,000

65
1200 Sugar Creek Square, Fenton, MO *
34,546
A Warehouse of Foods location
66
9540 Watson Road, Crestwood, MO 50,000 Currently a Schnucks store.
Former National Store
67
110 Carlyle Plaza Drive, Belleville, IL 71,566 Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster

69
2712 Godfrey, Godfrey, IL 52,000
Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster; See the Fall, 2008 Remodel!
70
215 Arnold Crossroads Shopping Center, Arnold, MO * 56,160
Former Kroger Store; Currently a 24-Hour Fitness location.
72
1024 Big Bend, Richmond Heights, MO 24,568 Office Depot

73
1310 Big Bend, Ballwin, MO
56,699 Former Kroger Store
Shop N Save Store Now
75
9445 Gravois, Affton, MO 46,025 Ace hardware and O Rileys Auto Parts

76
1160 Shackelford, Florissant, MO 45,160
Currently a Schnucks store.
77
4432 Lemay Ferry, Mehlville, MO * 41,932
Currently a furniture store.
Ashley's
80
10865 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL * 41,939
Demolished due to severe damage after a tornado strike.

81
4127 North Grand, St. Louis, MO 27,000 Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster

84
800 South Duchesne, St. Charles, MO
32,000 Currently a Schnucks store; may be relocated in 2-3 years.
85
14885 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO * 37,835 Currently a 24-Hour Fitness location.

86
710 North Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO
42,000 Currently Vacant

88
3100 Madison Avenue, Granite City, IL
Currently a Schnucks store.
89
1030 Cass Avenue, St. Louis, MO
63,531 Currently Vacant
Was old National, only Downtown store after Schnucks left years earlier
93
111 Hilltop Village, Eureka, MO 30,979
Currently Vacant

204
3661 Reavis Barracks, St. Louis, MO ** 38,910
Save a lot

210
9719 Watson Road, Crestwood, MO ** 29,164
Building demolished as part of redevelopment.

212
1355 South Fifth Street, St. Charles, MO ** 28,148
Buiilding has been demolished; the space is now a parking lot .

217
1435 Vaughn Road, Wood River, IL ** 42,868
Currently home to Worldwide Liquidators and Goodwill.

219
6965 Parker Road, St. Louis, MO **
28,773

220
10223 Lewis & Clark, St. Louis, MO ** 63,008

722 (S)
915 West Main, Carbondale, IL 25,000 National building demolished; Schnucks store built on the site.
731 (S)
1181 Gannon Plaza, Festus, MO
See the Fall, 2008 Remodel!

732 (S)
20 Jefferson Square, DeSoto, MO 25,000 Former Kroger Store

733 (S)
1129 West Broadway, Centralia, IL
Photo courtesy of Bill Burmaster
739 (S)
709 West Jefferson, Springfield, IL 30,000

24 O'Fallon Square, O'Fallon, MO 46,025 Former Kroger Store which closed before the buyout in 1995.

121 South Sprigg Street, Cape Girardeau, MO
Currently Fred's Save-A-Lot.

124 South Buchanan, Edwardsville, IL 24,144 This store closed before the buyout in 1995.

655 Carlyle Avenue, Belleville, IL
35,000
Former Kroger Store which closed before the buyout in 1995.

810 Country Corners, Washington, MO 25,138

1040 Forum Drive, Rolla, MO 30,938

1045 State Street, East St. Louis, IL 18,000 This store closed before the buyout in 1995.

1222 Broadway, Hannibal, MO
Currently home to Save-A-Lot and Family Dollar.

2329 MacArthur, Springfield, IL

4331 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 28,000
Site of one of St. Louis' most infamous murders in 1987.

5680 Highway PP, High Ridge, MO 31,000
Former Kroger Store

7241 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 26,752 Former Kroger Store which closed before the buyout in 1995.

8823 Ladue Road, Ladue, MO
20,484

Re: What Happened in March 2006?

RobertStinnett — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:49:50 -0000

Interesting! Thanks for the information -- and for the sharp eye!

Re: Shopping Smart

RobertStinnett — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:49:05 -0000

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! In the spring/summer/fall you can usually find me all over Boonville taking snapshots. Feel free to come up and say hi if you see me walking about -- I'm usually wearing my baseball cap and carrying a camera! :-)