Big Bear Stores Company

Big Bear, the first self service supermarket was opened by Wayne E. Brown in 1934 in Columbus and was responsible for many innovations in the supermarket business. In 1947 Harts opened department stores in the basement of Big Bear supermarkets and was acquired by Big Bear in 1954. In 1989 Penn Traffic Company purchased Big Bear Stores Company and then shut down all Big Bear Stores operations in 2004.

From the description of Big Bear Stores Collection, 1934-2001. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 56572195