Ward's Big Star Super Market

Ward's Big Star Super Market opened its first store in Cape Girardeau on Feb. 23, 1956 at Broadway and Kingshighway.

In 1966, Ward's Big Star moved to a larger facility just south of the original store. This photo shows the second store.

Feb. 26, 1966 Southeast Missourian advertisement

New in '66 - Cape's Finest Supermarket

It's the store everyone waited for! At Ward's Big Star you enjoy low cash prices plus Quality Stamps.

A magnificent new store, located at Highway 61, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Totally new in concept, it presents a gallery of shopping for everyone.

It's an exciting new store designed to meet the needs of urban suburban shoppers. We know you'll find it a warm, friendly place to come.

It was just ten years ago that Big Star brought their low prices and quality food to this community. Several years have passed, times have changed, but Big Star continues to select quality foods and sell them at the lowest possible prices. Big Star stores have been considered tops with shoppers everywhere for over 15 years. And now as Cape Girardeau continues to grow with a future unlimited, Ward's Big Star will strive to serve you even better at their new ultra-modern store.

Feb. 22, 1956 Southeast Missourian

New Supermarket Opens Tomorrow

First opening of a new retail grocery, the Ward's Big Star Super Market No. 51, located at the southeast corner of Broadway and Kingshighway, will be Thursday morning at 8.

The modern supermarket will begin business on its regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow, but will not hold its grand opening until March 1 when it will be marked by a three day observance, March 1, 2 and 3.

The store will be managed by Ted Garren, who moved here in December from Piedmont, with Elmer Young, a local man, as assistant manager.

The store is a complete self-service market housed in a completely modern 60 by 112 foot structure designed by architect Harold Long, and erected by the Burton J. Gerhardt Construction Company.

Its interior is in soft pink and green with a modernized ceiling and fluorescent lighting. It has the latest type air conditioning and refrigeration systems which are powered by units located in the rear of the building. This refrigeration system removes the cooling plant from underneath the cold boxes and facilitates any repairs which might be required without having to disturb the boxes.

100-Car Parking Lot

There are four check-out counters and carry-out boys will be employed to aid customers in getting their purchases to automobiles on the 100-car capacity parking area.

The meat department will be under the charge of Eddie Mayhew and Henry Burnett, assisted by Lloyd Bauer and Mrs. R. M. Wachter. A large refrigerator and compact working area near the display cases will help to keep the meat as fresh as possible.

Miss Anna M. Bumpus of Poplar Bluff will be the head checker with Miss Betty North and Mrs. Etholene Underwood of Cape Girardeau as assistants. Also employed as stock clerks will be Ted Garren Jr., and Earl Cotner.

The store is owned by J.H. McLane of Piedmont, who also operates grocery stores at Piedmont, Ironton, Fredericktown, Potosi, Ellington, Van Buren and Eminence. The local store is the largest of the chain.

Feb. 22, 1956 Southeast Missourian advertisement

Come See for Yourself! It's Great! It's New!

Ward's Big Star Super Market

Most Modern Super Market in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Modern in every respect, Ward's Big Star Market has a wide variety of fine produce, frozen foods, canned goods and highest quality meats that make grocery shopping a pleasure.

Convenient checkout lanes and plenty of free parking are two important features that will make your every visit to Ward's Big Star Market a most pleasant one.

Through the courtesy of Flentge's Appliance and Ward's Big Star, we are going to give away absolutely free a 400-pound capacity GE Freezer filled to the brim with Libby's Frozen Foods.

Malone and Hyde Food Wholesale at Sikeston, Mo. supplied most of the grocery lines.