The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-16

purhcasing-were fittingly cele-
brated last evening when more than
300 members and friends of the
Associated Grocers met at The El-
ton for their annual banquet and
dance. The AQ, formerly known as
Buy.Right-Sell Right had as their
hosts members OF their own families,
business associates, store managers
and representatives Of various dis
tributing agencies and wholesale
concerns.
Congratulations!
The occasion was q very happy
one and congratulations and best
wishes were the order Of the even
ing. Thomas O'Dea was chairman
OF the general committee Of ar
rangements. The splendid success
OF the organization since Its incep-
ton, Its growth In numbers and
public confidence and the enthu-
siasm shared by the membership
and Its patrons, were briefly COM
mented upon during the course OF
the evening.
The entertainment program fea-
tured Domenic Mecca, accordionist;
Ted Stewart, tenor soloist; Jean
Hubbard, acrobatic dancer; Texco,
magician and Little Wolf Marucci
and Frank Rosa In an exhibition OF
the Japanese art Of self defense
known as jiu jitsu. Jack Henry was
master Of ceremonies and also pre-
sented number OF impersonations
nanni11O WaR alQ0 an invAd
Interesting History
Nine years ago this month O small
group OF local food store owners
sixteen In number, held O meeting
10 discuss ways and means TO bet
ter their position. Changes were
taking place IN the methods Of food
and grocery merchandising and
these men were predetermined and
far-sighted enough 10 realize and
admit that day by day II was be-
coming increasingly more difficult
for an individual 10 cope with these
improved and modern methods Of
merchandising.
At o second meeting Of these
same sixteen men, within the same
month, O new organization came TO
life In our community. These men
formed q cooperative and were IA
very short time established In
small warehouse on Judd street. As
soon as their articles of incorpora-
ton were ratified by the State OF
Connecticut these few men started
O drive 10 add q few more men,
bers Of the retail food industry TO
this new corporation, The Nauga-
tuck Valley Wholesale Grocery Co I,
Inc.
The principal objective OF the
group was lower cost OF food and
grocery supplies, through the med
ium OF collective purchasing, The
far-sight OF these men enabled them
10 realize that they must be COM
petive az TO retail price, quality
considered, II they were TO continue
TO serve the thousands Of families
In Waterbury and surrounding conf
munities. Within o years time the
majority Of food and grocery pack
ers and manufacturers had recog-
niZed this new organization and
were lending hand 10 the growth
OF this new type OF business, a CO.
operative, by agreeing 10 ship mer-
chandise and 10 keep supplies on
the road TO this group OF progress
siye merchants.
Greater Facilities
The year 1888 found this new Or
ganization looking for larger ware
house and office space and suitable
quarters we're found In q three story
building on Meadow street. The
group Of sixteen had grown and
there were now AZ cooperative men,
bers OF this group, and the purchase
ing power OF the organization had
shown O corresponding increase
and these merchants now felt that
II was time TO take the next step,
Collective Merchandising, Advertis-
Ing, and the Building up OF their
Trade Name In q more progressive
manner. This trade name for the
retail stores was BUY Right--Sell
Right Food Stores" The collective
purchasing power had lowered. the
cost Of merchandise 10 these stores
and q program OF advertising was
inaugurated, with the thought In
mind oflpassing on to the consum-
ers OF the community, the greater
part Of these savings, Weekly cir
culars, window posters and news
paper advertising were the med
iums OF letting the consumers know
that this group Of stores were Or
ganized, that they were carrying
very complete stocks OF merchan-
disc In their stores, that their pric-
es were competitive, quality and
grading being considered. One OF
the principles OF this group has al
ways been TO feature quality, In
the belief that the consuming pub
lie Of this community relish good
food and that the building Of a
good reputation for Buy Right-Sell
Right Stores should definitely be
founded on Quality First, Price
Second"
The effects Of this merchandising
and advertising program gradually
became apparent In the increased
volume In these stores and the fact
that the public were beginning to
realize that in their own home town
they had an organization OF local
merchants who, ir the period Of de-
preston, were progressing and were
building for the future. Many more
reputable merchants were also be-
ginning to be vitality interested in
joining up with this group and as a
result Of membership drive during
the year 1884 the membership was
increased to So. The requirements
Of membership in this organization
are very rigid and a merchant must
be the owner of q neat, clean, we'll
stocked with variety of merchan-
disc, store which Is located In q
neighborhood, rather than down.
town or main street, store. This
merchant must have an established
reputation for honesty, cleanliness,
fair-dealing and a willingness to
learn and to follow the rules and
regulations OF the organization.
Steady Development
The years 1885. So. and 81 brought
steady and gradual-strength and de-
velopment to this group and the re-
sllts of good sound advertising,