Penn Fruit Metal Business Card Holder
One size / Silver / Glossy
$24.99
Sale price
$24.99
Regular price
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Keep a little Philadelphia business history close at hand with this Penn Fruit Metal Business Card Holder. The company started as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets in 1927, then expanded into groceries and larger self-service supermarkets. By 1971, Penn Fruit had nearly 80 stores and reported sales of $370 million. Its rise, discount ventures, and eventual absorption by competitors tell a compelling story of ambition and change in the supermarket business.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1927 by Morris Kaplan, Isaac Kaplan, and Samuel Cooke, Penn Fruit began as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets. Low prices and heavy promotions helped the first shop grow quickly, and by the early 1930s the company had six stores. Competition led it to add groceries and develop larger self-service supermarkets. During the 1930s and 1940s, Penn Fruit expanded across greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, adding fresh meat and floral departments. After World War II, it opened stores in New York and Baltimore, though those distant markets proved less successful. Its 1950s supermarkets became known for broad arch roofs. In the 1960s, the company diversified into garden, drug, convenience-food, and toy retailing, and introduced discount formats Dale’s in 1964 and Consumers Warehouse Markets in 1967, often by rebranding existing stores. By 1971, it had nearly 80 stores and sales of $370 million. A 1973 price war with Acme’s Philadelphia-area stores strained its warehouse business. Penn Fruit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly two years, sold most non-supermarket holdings, and disposed of stores. In 1975, 17 remaining stores went to Food Fair. Penn Fruit continued as a Pantry Pride division until that company also filed for bankruptcy in 1977; its units were then absorbed by various competitors. The chain operated from 1927 to 1979.
Penn Fruit Metal Business Card Holder
$24.99
Sale price
$24.99
Regular price
Keep a little Philadelphia business history close at hand with this Penn Fruit Metal Business Card Holder. The company started as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets in 1927, then expanded into groceries and larger self-service supermarkets. By 1971, Penn Fruit had nearly 80 stores and reported sales of $370 million. Its rise, discount ventures, and eventual absorption by competitors tell a compelling story of ambition and change in the supermarket business.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1927 by Morris Kaplan, Isaac Kaplan, and Samuel Cooke, Penn Fruit began as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets. Low prices and heavy promotions helped the first shop grow quickly, and by the early 1930s the company had six stores. Competition led it to add groceries and develop larger self-service supermarkets. During the 1930s and 1940s, Penn Fruit expanded across greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, adding fresh meat and floral departments. After World War II, it opened stores in New York and Baltimore, though those distant markets proved less successful. Its 1950s supermarkets became known for broad arch roofs. In the 1960s, the company diversified into garden, drug, convenience-food, and toy retailing, and introduced discount formats Dale’s in 1964 and Consumers Warehouse Markets in 1967, often by rebranding existing stores. By 1971, it had nearly 80 stores and sales of $370 million. A 1973 price war with Acme’s Philadelphia-area stores strained its warehouse business. Penn Fruit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly two years, sold most non-supermarket holdings, and disposed of stores. In 1975, 17 remaining stores went to Food Fair. Penn Fruit continued as a Pantry Pride division until that company also filed for bankruptcy in 1977; its units were then absorbed by various competitors. The chain operated from 1927 to 1979.
| One size | |
| Width, in | 3.67 |
| Height, in | 2.35 |
| Depth, in | 0.36 |
Product features
- Holds up to 20 standard 3.5" x 2.0" business cards
- Glossy metallic, polished exterior finish
- Velvet-like interior base for card protection
- Comfortable, pocket-friendly design
- Friction snap closure for secure storage
Care instructions
- Wipe the dust or any dirt off gently with a clean, dry cloth.