Picturing the Past 90: Grocery stores

Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at 9:52 AM

United Super Market, as it appeared in 1952. (Submitted photo)

We've done some photos of the outside of Shelbyville grocery stores, but remember the inside -- and the people within?

Here's a look at what was inside two well-remembered Shelbyville stores: Dial's Superette and United Super Market.

United Super Market was roughly in what is today the northwest side of the parking lot of today's Roses shopping center on Madison Street. It lasted until, I think, the late 1970s and that building later housed a game room for awhile. This photo, from 1952, is credited to Floyd Dennis and was emailed to me a while back.

From left are unknown, unknown, Dorothy Hambrick Dennis, Mrs. Doak Reed, James W. Dennis, unknown, unknown, Hallie Womble, unknown, unknown, Claudette Phillips Cobble, Viola Hinton Dennis, unknown. The Reeds later operated Riverview Market on Cannon Boulevard, according to Floyd.

When you're in the front parking lot of Walgreens you're standing where Dial's Superette was from the 1950s until the 1970s or 1980s, when the Dial family moved it to what's now New Covenant Christian Bookstore. The old Dial's building later became a farm equipment store before being torn down. The negative envelope read "Dial's expansion" and was was dated August 1958.

These are members of the Dial family and I'm not sure what's going on with the basket but I'd guess it may have been a prize.

Picturing the Past is featured each Tuesday in this blog. Reader contributions are welcome.

Comments
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In the Dial pic Charles Dial is on the right. Don't know the others.

-- Posted by Cal t on Tue, Dec 7, 2010, at 10:47 AM

Cal t, you're right, thats "Cowboy" on the right,and I think the others, right to left are Huron, Jewel and Lyman (Windy) Dial.

-- Posted by ilikeoldsongs on Tue, Dec 7, 2010, at 11:03 AM

Mr. Dial (Wendy) is on the left. I'm not sure if the lady is Mrs. Dial or not. Next is Huron Dial, then Charles.

-- Posted by marnold1118 on Tue, Dec 7, 2010, at 11:04 AM

Great pictures from the past David. One thing that caught my eye on the Dial's Superette photo is the box of Darimix that Wendy Dial is holding. My Mother used to buy Darimix to make her own milk from and then she used it in cooking, and if I am not mistaken, I can also remember her making buttermilk out of it and then making butter.

As far as United Super Market goes, I have many fond memories of it because it was only about a block from my house and I was in that store many times. One of the most memorable experiences for me was one day when I decided to take a five finger discount on a Power House candy bar. James Dennis caught me and marched me all the way to the house and told my Mother what I had done. She offered to pay for it but he would not accept the nickel for it. He told her that he did not think I would ever do it again, and he sure was right.

-- Posted by leeiii on Tue, Dec 7, 2010, at 12:39 PM

marnold1118

If that isn't Mrs. Dial She should be. Huron's Daughter(Leeann Butts) looks exactly like her.

-- Posted by Wolf Clan on Tue, Dec 7, 2010, at 5:14 PM

Can someone give me an update on the Dial family?

I have not seen my high school buddy, Huron, since I moved away in 1954. Is he (or some of his family) still in Shelbyville. Are they still in the grocery business?

-- Posted by steadyeddie on Fri, Dec 10, 2010, at 12:45 AM

In the photo of the United Super Market check out the prices on the hanging signs....nothing over 35 cents. Those were the days! I believe United was probably the city's third "super" market. Seems like the first two were Shelbyville Super Market on Elm across from CHS....and Milner's out on North Main. Does this sound about right? I am aware that the Dials entered the scene at some point with their "superette".

-- Posted by steadyeddie on Fri, Dec 10, 2010, at 1:01 AM

steadyeddie it is good to see you on here again. You have been missed. I think that you are right about the "super" markets in town. I am not sure when Doyle and Phil Day opened Day Brothers.

When I was home last year I visited Huron. He is working at Rayburn Smith's Food Town as the butcher. Jane passed away some years back.

-- Posted by leeiii on Fri, Dec 10, 2010, at 6:50 AM

The Dial's are one of thefinest families I ever knew. The picture is great. Wendy is on the left, Mama Jewel Dial, Huron, and Cowboy. They were never to tired or to busy to help you. I sure wish we had more stores like that today. Wendy and Family worked for Day Bros. before they I guess bought out Day Brothers. They started in the same spot on corner Main and Fairfield Pk.

My oppion , Smith's store got a reel asset when they got Huron.I bought my babies firt baby food in 1959 from Dial's and we all still remain friends. If I needed a friend I wouldn't be a afraid to call on anyone or all of them.

-- Posted by Wilderness 68 on Fri, Dec 10, 2010, at 7:14 PM

leeiii....so glad to hear that Huron is still going strong. Wish I had known that when I visited Shelbyville about a month ago for a few hours. Everything (I mean everything) has changed. Not only is there no more Pope's or Caperton's or The Saddle.....there's not even a Rebel Maid!! How in the heck can you have a Shelbyville without a Rebel Maid? Is there no end to this madness?

-- Posted by steadyeddie on Sat, Dec 11, 2010, at 12:49 AM

Yes, and on top of that you can no longer go down to the five and dime to look at all the great toys.

-- Posted by leeiii on Sat, Dec 11, 2010, at 6:50 AM

So true, leeiii....I went into what I believe was the old Wright's five and dime and looked around. Couldn't find Wright's or Brantley's or the stairs to WHAL.....couldn't even find Parks-Belk!

-- Posted by steadyeddie on Sat, Dec 11, 2010, at 8:41 PM

I LOVED MR. AND MRS. DIAL. DIALS HAD THE BEST MEAT DEPARTMEN. EVERY CHRISTMAS WE GOT A NICE COUNTRY HAM. I MISS SEEING THEIR WHOLE FAMILY WORKING TOGETHER. NOT MANY FAMILY BUSINESSES LEFT IN TOWN.

-- Posted by VOLFAN63 on Sun, Dec 12, 2010, at 11:22 PM

Does anyone know who the little girl is or the lady with the long coat on in the picture at the United Super Market?

-- Posted by ladyhistory on Mon, Dec 13, 2010, at 10:14 PM

David Melson

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David Melson is a copy editor and staff writer for the Times-Gazette.

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