Timeless Tradition: Convenience stores chain Stop-N-Go encapsulates the quintessential American entrepreneurial journey
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In the heart of the 1960s, a new era of convenience began to unfold in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati with the arrival of Stop-N-Go convenience stores. Originally a franchise established by John Johnston of Oklahoma City, the local Stop-N-Go franchise saw significant growth, starting with the opening of its first two stores in Covington, Kentucky, and Lookout Heights, Kentucky, in September 1962.
By the mid-1960s, the franchise had expanded to five stores in Northern Kentucky, including locations in Erlanger and Crescent Springs. The stores operated from 7 a.m. until 12 midnight, seven days a week, and offered a range of services that set them apart from their competitors. A September 1962 advertisement in the "Kentucky Post" highlighted 13 distinct advantages, including fast service, convenient parking, and a complete dairy department at dairy store prices.
As shopping and residential life underwent vast changes in the late 20th century, with the emergence of faceless box stores and subdivisions, Stop-N-Go continued to thrive. By the mid-1970s, the stores in Northern Kentucky were open 24 hours daily.
In 1974, Stop-N-Go Food, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio, purchased the eight Northern Kentucky locations of the franchise owned by Casual Food Stores, Inc. This move marked a new chapter for the local Stop-N-Go stores. In 1976, the parent corporation in Dayton pursued a merger of shares to become a subsidiary of the giant petroleum corporation, Sun Company (Sunoco).
The growth of Stop-N-Go did not stop there. In 1984, the company expanded its footprint by purchasing 157 Cincinnati-based King Kwik convenience stores. This acquisition further solidified Stop-N-Go's position in the region.
However, the story of Stop-N-Go in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati is not without its complexities. For instance, there was another entity named Stop and Shop Companies, which operated in the region during the same time period. However, this was a separate entity from Stop-N-Go Foods.
In 1990, Dairy Mart Convenience Stores Inc. completed the purchase of 112 Stop-N-Go units in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, and Columbus. This marked another significant change in the local convenience store landscape.
In 1989, Sun Refining and Marketing Co. of Philadelphia announced a restructuring plan to sell about 200 of its 274 Stop-N-Go stores, including 75 in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This move signalled a new phase in the evolution of the local Stop-N-Go stores.
Paul A. Tenkotte, PhD, Editor of the "Our Rich History" weekly series and Professor of History at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), has written extensively about the history of Stop-N-Go in the region. Tenkotte also serves as Director of the ORVILLE Project and can be contacted at [email protected] for more information.
Despite the rich history of Stop-N-Go in the region, there is still much to be discovered. For those interested in delving deeper into the history of Stop-N-Go Foods in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, local historical records and archives specific to those regions may provide valuable insights.
References:
[1] "Colonial Stores." Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 25 Mar. 2023. https://ech.case.edu/colonial-stores/
[2] "Stop and Shop." Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 25 Mar. 2023. https://ech.case.edu/stop-and-shop/
[4] "Cincinnati History Library and Archives." Cincinnati Museum Center. Web. 25 Mar. 2023. https://www.cincymuseum.org/history-library-archives/
- The first Stop-N-Go store in Covington, Kentucky, was one of the initial locations when the franchise expanded from its Oklahoma City roots to Northern Kentucky in the 1960s.
- By the 1970s, Stop-N-Go had grown its presence in Northern Kentucky further through acquisitions, such as purchasing 157 Cincinnati-based King Kwik convenience stores in 1984.
- In the late 20th century, Stop-N-Go continued to stand out amidst the rise of faceless box stores and subdivisions, offering services that set it apart from competitors.
- For those intrigued by the history of Stop-N-Go Foods in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, local historical records and archives, such as the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, could offer valuable insights into the rich past of the industry and finance-related businesses in the region.
