Penn Fruit Metal Sign
7" x 5" (Horizontal) / 0.12''
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
Skip to product information
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Bring the story of a Philadelphia supermarket pioneer into your space with this Penn Fruit Metal Sign. Founded in 1927, the company grew from one produce shop into a regional chain whose 1950s supermarkets were recognized for their sweeping arch roofs. Penn Fruit also reached into New Jersey and other eastern markets, and introduced discount formats such as Dale’s and Consumers Warehouse Markets. Its history offers a vivid reminder of how local stores and changing competition shaped everyday shopping.
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 Sign
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
Bring the story of a Philadelphia supermarket pioneer into your space with this Penn Fruit Metal Sign. Founded in 1927, the company grew from one produce shop into a regional chain whose 1950s supermarkets were recognized for their sweeping arch roofs. Penn Fruit also reached into New Jersey and other eastern markets, and introduced discount formats such as Dale’s and Consumers Warehouse Markets. Its history offers a vivid reminder of how local stores and changing competition shaped everyday shopping.
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.
| 7" x 5" (Horizontal) | |
| Width, in | 7.00 |
| Height, in | 5.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.12 |
Product features
- 100% white aluminum composite — strong, rigid, and lightweight
- Matte full-color print on one side for crisp, non-reflective finish
- Eleven sizes available; horizontal, vertical, and square orientations
- Includes one mounting block, metal plate, and double-sided tape; customer assembly required
- Indoor use only — durable for interior displays
Care instructions
- Use non-abrasive, non-ammonium based products for cleaning. Dish soap with warm water is only recommended for spot cleaning.