Another interesting one from the Dispatch History Blog:
The first Big Bear store opens, 1934
Posted by Julie Albert on February 15

In November 1933, the Big Bear Stores company was founded. Wayne E. Brown took a big risk - the country was in the midst of the Great Depression - but he's credited with starting the concept of the self-service supermarket in the the Midwest. On Feb. 15, 1934 the first Big Bear Store opened at 386 W. Lane Ave., across from The Ohio State University. The original store is pictured in the photo above. The building itself had also served as a dance hall, a roller-skating rink and a ring for horse shows and polo matches in previous years.
READ MORE: http://blog.dispatch.com/lookback/2010/02/the_first_big_bear_store_opens.shtml



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