Our Company

With every new store, our dreams are being fulfilled. And we will never forget the value of our satisfied customers.

The full-service network of Walt’s Food Centers you know today had humble beginnings in the midst of the Great Depression. We opened our doors in 1937 with a corner fruit and vegetable stand in South Holland, Illinois. Our first location was modest but our dreams were big. Some of us referred to that early store as a “shanty” but the produce we sold was fresh and delicious.

Businesses are rewarded with loyal customers when products are fresh and service is second to none. And we grew. The humble store was expanded to meet the flood of happy customers, and our dreams of success were being fulfilled.

We still have pictures of that small shanty, and it reminds us of where we came from – and where we’re going.

It wasn’t long before our early store was replaced with a full-service grocery store. Our reputation for fresh meats and produce, a complete line of grocery products, and friendly service allowed us to open new stores in surrounding suburbs.

Walt’s is a family-owned store with strong family values, and that influences the way we do business. Many of our employees live right in your neighborhood, so don’t be surprised if you recognize our cashiers, other associates and our shoppers who live down the street.

With every new store, our dreams are being fulfilled. And we will never forget the value of our satisfied customers.

walt's food center history

walt's food center history

Vintage Photo Gallery