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Explore Our Heritage
Since 1883, The Kroger Co. has grown from a small store in downtown Cincinnati to become one of America's largest grocery retailers. Follow our rich heritage using our timeline. Page through the years using the navigation below:
  1883 - 1925   1928-1955   1959 - 1977   1978-1990   1991 - Present  

1883
The first store opens at 66 East Pearl Street in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1884

Barney Kroger buys out his partner and opens a second store.
1901
Kroger is the first grocery company to operate its own bakeries.
1902
With 40 stores and $1.75 million in annual sales, The Kroger Grocery and Baking Company is incorporated.
1904
Kroger buys 14 Nagel meat markets and a packing house. Meat and groceries are sold under one roof for the first time.
1905
During the severe winter, Barney Kroger donates 300 loaves of bread a week to the poor.
1908
On the company's 25th anniversary, 200 horses and wagons are making regular store deliveries, and Kroger's growing chain numbers 136 stores in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and northern Kentucky.
1913
Kroger replaces horses and wagon teams with 75 Model T trucks.
1916
Self-service is tried for the first time and the food store as we know it today begins to take shape.
1925
Kroger erects a new warehouse on State Avenue to serve Cincinnati stores.