DES PERES, Mo. – On July, 31, 1963, family-owned Schnuck Markets, Inc. opened a 27,000-square-foot store at 11945 Manchester Road and the company has been serving customers in the Des Peres area ever since. Today, current store teammates, along with several former store managers, are gearing up for a celebration that kicks off July 31, 2013, 50 years to the day.
According to Store Manager Ken Ringkamp, the Schnucks operation in Des Peres has always led the way in innovation. “Not only did the original store feature Schnucks first dine-in restaurant, it included several specialty departments considered ahead of their time for the day including an ‘old-time’ delicatessen, carryout foods, gourmet foods, a ham bar, and a 150-foot-long produce display,” said Ringkamp.
The store was expanded twice (1978 and 1988) to nearly 60,000 square feet, but more space was needed to serve the growing needs of the community. On Sept. 15, 2009, the 74,000-square-foot Schnucks flagship store opened at 12332 Manchester Road replacing the previous store. The new store featured the first Schnucks Cooks Cooking School on the mezzanine.
Schnucks Chairman and CEO Scott Schnuck remembers the original store opening when he was just 13 years old which he attended with his father, Don, and uncle Ed. “From the beginning, we’ve enjoyed a strong partnership with the Des Peres community and it’s because of their loyalty and support that we were able to build the beautiful store we all enjoy today,” Schnuck said.
Ringkamp says the store team has planned five days of fun events for customers of all ages including a ribbon cutting 50 years to the day of the first. “Our long-time customers will enjoy seeing some of the familiar faces at our ribbon cutting as well as share in the refreshments and join in the activities,” he said.
“We’ve made it a family event. We’ll have 60’s music playing (Saturday) and sampling throughout the store. Activities such as face painting, balloon animals and storytelling (Friday) ensure there is something for everyone. On Wednesday, we even have a baseball-themed evening planned for Cardinals fans,” Ringkamp said. “We are so proud of our store team, our customers and our region – this is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ for 50 years.”
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 100 stores and 95 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Follow Schnucks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Schnucks.
Schnucks Des Peres 50th Anniversary Celebration Events (July 31 – Aug. 4)
Wednesday, July 31
- Ribbon Cutting 50 years to the day after the original store opening (9 a.m.)
- OscarMayer Wiener Mobile (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Baseball-themed Fun starting at 5 p.m. featuring Fredbird (5 – 6 p.m.), a Budweiser Clydesdale (6 – 8 p.m.) and traditional ball park snacks.
Thursday, Aug. 1
- Storewide sampling of Missouri-made products
- Produce farmers market on the parking lot (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 2
- Barbeque on the parking lot (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Family evening featuring face painting and balloon animals (3 -7 p.m.)
- Storytelling for kids on the mezzanine (7 – 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 3
- Turn back the calendar five decades – 60s music will be featured in the store while teammates don their way back “threads.”
- Produce farmers market on the parking lot (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Seafood Road Show (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 4
- Storewide sampling
- Character Appearances (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Seafood Road Show (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Source: Schnuck Markets, Inc.