J. M. Fields
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
J.M. Fields was a discount department store chain based in Salem, Massachusetts owned by Food Fair, Inc. Most J.M. Fields stores built in the late 1960s and 1970s were built adjacent to Food Fair's Pantry Pride grocery stores and were in fact connected to the grocery store, making J.M. Fields the first true "supercenter" of its time. Customers could walk from the department store directly into the grocery store without having to go outside. J.M. Fields featured a mix of merchandise found in most of today's modern day discount retailers such as housewares, clothing, electronics, lawn and garden, and other departments. Many locations had a free-standing automotive center in the parking lot.
When parent company Food Fair filed for bankruptcy in 1978, all J.M. Fields and Pantry Pride stores ceased operations and were shuttered. Many former J.M. Fields locations in the northeast became either Kmart, Jefferson Ward (later Bradlees) or Caldor stores. Kmart also took over many southern stores.
[edit] Locations (list incomplete)
CONNECTICUT
- Branford
- East Hartford Located on Silver Lane which became a Burlington Coat Factory.
FLORIDA
- Jacksonville - University Mall
- Margate - Lakewood Mall. Store became a Kmart, then was leveled to build s Big Kmart. At this time Kmart filed for bankruptcy and the project never materialized. Wal-Mart came in and built the current Super Wal-Mart at this location.
- Melbourne
- Miami - Airpark Plaza. Northwest corner of NW 57 Ave and 7th St. Department store became Kmart and now is a Home Depot Expo Center. The supermarket became Varadero Supermarket and now is a Publix Supermarket.
- Tallahassee - North Monroe Street at Tharpe Street
- Tampa - East Hillsborough Avenue. Site now is a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
- Tampa - Florida Avenue at Temple Terrace Highway, later Bush Boulevard. Store later became Zayre, then Ames, now State of Florida offices.
- Tampa - Gandy Boulevard across from Maas Brothers' Furniture (Now Macy's). Store site currently contains an office building.
- West Palm Beach, Florida - North side of Okeechobee Boulevard between Spencer Drive and Congress Ave. Store site is currently a pet superstore (next to former Spec's Records).
- Winter Haven
GEORGIA
MASSACHUSETTS
- Chelmsford
- Haverhill
- Medford - Wellington Circle
- Natick - Worcester Pike
- Norwell
- Salem
- Swampscott
- Springfield
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Bedford
- Concord
- Manchester
- Newington - Newington Mall
- Salem - Store later became Digital Computer plant, then Lechmere. Currently Target
NEW JERSEY
- Burlinton Township - [Liberty Square], Became Jefferson-Ward in 1980, converted to Bradlees, now is Acme Markets in the same building
- Cherry Hill - Church Road, near Pathmark
- Delran - became K-Mart until 2003, was razed for a new Target store
- Hazlet
- Jersey City
- Parsippany
- Stratford - White Horse Pike, an expansion of a shopping center with a Penn Fruit/Pantry Pride - the store was converted to Jefferson-Ward, then Bradlees
- Ventnor
- Woodbury Heights Rt. 45 & Moore Street, became Caldor, Pathmark was next to it until 1990
NEW YORK
- Niskayuna - Mohawk Mall. Store later became Bradlees. Mall demolished 2000-2001.
- Utica, New York - Riverside Mall. Store later became Bradless. Mall now called Riverside Center.
- Penfield, New York - Panorama Plaza. Divided up into several retail spaces such as a Hallmark Cards store, Famous Footwear, and a florist when the plaza was extensively renovated.
PENNSYLVANIA
- Northeast Philadelphia - Leo Mall Bustlton Ave., became The Dry Goods, then K-Mart, which closed in 2003
- Bensalem - Now Kmart
- Norristown
- Pottstown
SOUTH CAROLINA
- Charleston - Ashley Plaza Mall. Store later became Woolco, then Brendle's & United Clothing Co., then Carolina Pottery and is now Pivotal Fitness, Dollar Tree & Bumper-to-Bumper Auto Parts.
- Greenville - Fields City shopping Center on N. 291 Bypass. Store later became Nichols Discount City, and is now BI-LO Grocery.
- North Charleston - Rivers Avenue at Aviation Avenue. Store became Nichols Discount Center, then Sam's Club and is now vacant.
- Spartanburg - Reidville Road
