Charles Crouch
Encyclopedia
Charles Crouch, merchandising executive, was born in Augusta, Georgia
, Sept. 15, 1898, son of Joseph William and Lily (Strom
) Crouch. In 1932, he purchased six of the former Clarence Saunders stores in the San Francisco peninsula area and founded Peninsula Stores (later Lucky Stores
, Inc.), of which he became the first president. When he retired from the presidency of Lucky Stores
in 1947 there were thirty-three stores in the chain with an annual gross of $30,000,000. At the openings of his various stores Crouch used such devices as simulated carnivals, also hiring popular jazz bands to attract customers. He engaged Raymond Loewy Associates of New York
to design what was considered to be a new type of supermarket, employing color psychology to attract customers and providing each customer with a lightweight aluminum shopping cart on which was mounted a printed directory to all merchandise in the store. In 1949 Crouch was named man of the year in the merchandising field by Operations, Inc., a national research and sales organization serving large chain stores, manufacturers, and wholesale grocers. Charles Crouch was considered to be one of the primary forces behind the development of the modern supermarket
.
In 1950, with N. Clark Earl, Jr., Crouch bought control of the Childs Company New York, then operating its chain of fifty-three restaurants. He became executive vice-president of the company at the time of the purchase and shortly thereafter was made president. Two months after purchasing Childs, the new owners also bought 90 per cent of the stock in Louis Sherry
, Inc., New York, makers of fine candy and ice cream. Crouch became president of the company upon the purchase.
Throughout his life, Charles Crouch was an avid horseman and polo player. On May 18, 1921, in Vicksburg, Mississippi Charles Crouch was married to Nancy Carol Brabston, daughter of a prominent Mississippi
planter and direct descendant of the Earl of Arundel
, the Duke of Norfolk
, and King Edward I
of England. They had one son, Charles Lanham Crouch, Jr.
Charles Crouch died in San Francisco on December 11, 1957.
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, Sept. 15, 1898, son of Joseph William and Lily (Strom
Strom
-People:* David Strom, American radio personality, former president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota* Earl Strom , American professional basketball referee* Harry Strom , Canadian politician* Karl Morin-Strom, Canadian politician...
) Crouch. In 1932, he purchased six of the former Clarence Saunders stores in the San Francisco peninsula area and founded Peninsula Stores (later Lucky Stores
Lucky Stores
Lucky Stores is an American supermarket chain founded in Alameda County, California in 1935. Lucky is currently operated by SuperValu in Southern California and Nevada and by Save Mart in Northern California and Nevada.In 1998, Lucky's parent company, American Stores, was taken over by Albertsons,...
, Inc.), of which he became the first president. When he retired from the presidency of Lucky Stores
Lucky Stores
Lucky Stores is an American supermarket chain founded in Alameda County, California in 1935. Lucky is currently operated by SuperValu in Southern California and Nevada and by Save Mart in Northern California and Nevada.In 1998, Lucky's parent company, American Stores, was taken over by Albertsons,...
in 1947 there were thirty-three stores in the chain with an annual gross of $30,000,000. At the openings of his various stores Crouch used such devices as simulated carnivals, also hiring popular jazz bands to attract customers. He engaged Raymond Loewy Associates of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to design what was considered to be a new type of supermarket, employing color psychology to attract customers and providing each customer with a lightweight aluminum shopping cart on which was mounted a printed directory to all merchandise in the store. In 1949 Crouch was named man of the year in the merchandising field by Operations, Inc., a national research and sales organization serving large chain stores, manufacturers, and wholesale grocers. Charles Crouch was considered to be one of the primary forces behind the development of the modern supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
.
In 1950, with N. Clark Earl, Jr., Crouch bought control of the Childs Company New York, then operating its chain of fifty-three restaurants. He became executive vice-president of the company at the time of the purchase and shortly thereafter was made president. Two months after purchasing Childs, the new owners also bought 90 per cent of the stock in Louis Sherry
Louis Sherry
Louis Sherry was an important American restaurateur, caterer, confectioner and hotelier during the Gilded Age and early 20th century. His name is typically associated with an upscale brand of candy and ice cream, and also the Sherry-Netherland Hotel in New York City.-Early life:Sherry was born in St...
, Inc., New York, makers of fine candy and ice cream. Crouch became president of the company upon the purchase.
Throughout his life, Charles Crouch was an avid horseman and polo player. On May 18, 1921, in Vicksburg, Mississippi Charles Crouch was married to Nancy Carol Brabston, daughter of a prominent Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
planter and direct descendant of the Earl of Arundel
Earl of Arundel
The title Earl of Arundel is the oldest extant Earldom and perhaps the oldest extant title in the Peerage of England. It is currently held by the Duke of Norfolk, and is used by his heir apparent as a courtesy title. It was created in 1138 for the Norman baron Sir William d'Aubigny...
, the Duke of Norfolk
Duke of Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk is the premier duke in the peerage of England, and also, as Earl of Arundel, the premier earl. The Duke of Norfolk is, moreover, the Earl Marshal and hereditary Marshal of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the...
, and King Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
of England. They had one son, Charles Lanham Crouch, Jr.
Charles Crouch died in San Francisco on December 11, 1957.