Don Quick, Stockton

TheStranger · 11 Nov 2006 05:37

On the Groceteria Stockton page, a local chain called "Don Quick" was mentioned; it lasted until about 1990.

Anyone know where this location is? It comes from a Stran-Steel ad on page E66 of the April 1966 issue of Chain Store Age.

larger: http://dtcwrt.earlracing.com/stores/csa/dquick.jpg

justin karimzad · 12 Nov 2006 03:27

It sure looks a lot like this location, unless they built more than one store with this prototype;
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age22.html
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age23.html

TheStranger · 12 Nov 2006 03:31

The notable cue there that makes me think that that is indeed the store in the older picture: the rectangular sign space in both shots seems to be in the exact same spot.

12 Nov 2006 13:28

justin karimzad wrote:It sure looks a lot like this location, unless they built more than one store with this prototype;
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age22.html
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age23.html

Agreed. It's the only one in Stockton that apparently was built from the ground up during the right timeframe. A very high proportion of Don Qucik stores were leftovers from other chains.

Floyd · 15 Nov 2006 01:47

Groceteria wrote:
justin karimzad wrote:It sure looks a lot like this location, unless they built more than one store with this prototype;
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age22.html
http://www.groceteria.com/stockton/gall ... age23.html
Agreed. It's the only one in Stockton that apparently was built from the ground up during the right timeframe. A very high proportion of Don Qucik stores were leftovers from other chains.

The picture is indeed the Don Quick location on Monte Diablo Ave. At the same time, Don Quick also built an identical looking store in Rio Vista which is "Lira's Supermarket" today. Back to the Stockton location on Monte Diablo, It remained as a "Don Quick" until 1983, when it was sold to the current owners (Big Valley Foods). Around 1983-84, Don Quick sold off the smaller older stores to concentrate on their newer bigger stores.

15 Nov 2006 11:31

Floyd wrote:Don Quick also built an identical looking store in Rio Vista which is "Lira's Supermarket" today.

I always wondered about that store's past. Thanks for the info...

Floyd · 16 Nov 2006 01:54

Groceteria wrote:
Floyd wrote:Don Quick also built an identical looking store in Rio Vista which is "Lira's Supermarket" today.
I always wondered about that store's past. Thanks for the info...

In fact, the Rio Vista Lira's was the very last Don Quick to operate. Don Quick closed their last store in Stockton, but continued in Rio Vista for two more years. It is kind of funny. Don Quick built both the Stockton "Monte Diablo Ave" store and the Rio Vista store the same year using the same design. Today, Lira's maintains the store (Keeping it clean and well maintained) while Big Valley Foods have let the "Monte Diablo Ave" store fall into disrepair. It is a very dirty store. I am surprised that the health department hasn't shut them down. Pretty sad situation:(

Floyd · 27 Nov 2006 23:16

I did more research on Don Quick, especially the one on Monte Diablo Ave. Don Quick first occupied the former Black's Grocery Store location at 1814 Monte Diablo Ave. (also known as 1812 Monte Diablo.) sometime in the early 1960's. On July 22, 1965, they moved next door to a larger newer building at 1832 Monte Diablo Ave. The new location was 15,000 square feet, had a gabled roof, palos verdes rock and liberal areas of glass for variety in design. The contractor was George Mason who also designed the structure. He also designed the Rio Vista Don Quick which opened about the same time and was an identical looking building.Don Quick sold the Monte Diablo Ave. building in 1983 to new owners who changed its name to the current "Big Valley Foods". Irononically, Big Valley Foods has occupied this location much longer than Don Quick, however most oldtimers still refer to this location as the former "Don Quick".