Bethpage, NY – On August 4, King Kullen proudly celebrated its 83rd birthday. From its humble beginnings, with its first store on the corner of 171st Street and Jamaica Avenue in Queens, to the 41 stores in operation today, America’s first supermarket has served as the model for supermarkets across the country. The Smithsonian Institute recognizes King Kullen as America’s first supermarket because it was “the first to fulfill all five criteria that define the modern supermarket: separate departments; self-service; discount pricing; chain marketing; and volume dealing.”
Michael Cullen founded King Kullen in 1930, at the age of 46. Within two years of that first store opening, there were eight locations. Over the years, King Kullen grew and expanded based on its customer’s wants and needs. They remain in tune with the needs of their customers, adding offerings such as a butcher shop, Boar’s Head deli, fresh produce, full service bakery, floral, seafood, and pharmacy. Following the standards set by its founder Michael Cullen, excellent customer service, high quality products, fair pricing, clean stores, and its commitment to serving Long Island families will always be top priorities to King Kullen.
In addition to being America’s first supermarket, King Kullen is proud to be known as Long Island’s own supermarket, as it is the largest chain on Long Island that is still controlled by Long Islanders. Today, King Kullen remains family owned and operated, with 41 King Kullen stores as well as four Wild By Nature stores. Wild by Nature is a full-size, full-service natural food marketplace. Michael Cullen’s grandson Brian C. Cullen and grandnephew J. Donald Kennedy are co-Presidents and co-Chief Operating Officers. There are also a number of other second, third and fourth generation family members employed by the company.
For more information about King Kullen, please visit their website, http://www.kingkullen.com.
About the company:
Headquartered in Bethpage, New York, King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America’s first supermarket. Michael J. Cullen opened the doors of King Kullen in 1930. Today, three generations later, King Kullen is still family owned and operated. It remains a leader in the supermarket industry. From that very first store in 1930, King Kullen today operates 41 supermarkets and four Wild by Nature stores across Long Island. In addition to traditional grocery, King Kullen features a large catering and prepared foods department, freshly baked breads and sweets, and healthy and organic areas, with pharmacies in many stores as well. For information about King Kullen, please visit their website at: http://www.kingkullen.com.
Source: King Kullen Grocery Co.