Autumn Years Spring 2023

OUR FIRST STORES

ergen County’s first perma nent structure was a store built in present-day Bogota in 1642. Called Winkelman’s, this short-lived trading post opened to enable trade with the Lenape Indians. The second known store was opened in 1697 by Blandina Kiersted Bayard, who had settled in Mahwah. She opened a trading post at what is now the site of Ramapo College’s athletic fields. Back when the county was mostly in habited by Jersey Dutch farmers, people grew their own food and raised their own livestock. However, such things as sugar, tea, coffee and spices had to be purchased. As the county grew, Hack ensack became the largest town; and by 1832, it had 10 stores. If the Hackensack stores did not have what you wanted, you would travel to either New York City or Paterson. As villages formed, local general stores opened. In 1850, the county had just over 15,000 residents—and serving them were five bakers, seven butchers, one groceryman, five storekeepers and several general merchants. By 1860, the

A&P store in Ho-Ho-Kus.

A&P store, Radburn section of Fair Lawn.

population had grown to over 21,000, and a county-wide map from that period shows only 33 stores. Some of the early stores were very small, such as P.J. Hopper’s (the first store in Ridgewood), which he ran from a room in his house. As the railroads arrived, towns start ed sprouting up. A newly constructed railroad station in 1870 led to the open ing of the Van Emburgh & Bogert Gen eral Store and post office—and the town of Westwood was born. The ubiquitous general store was a place that sold a va riety of things. Foodstuffs were all un packaged, measured on demand and placed in paper bags for the shopper. One would give the clerk a list, and he would retrieve the items from behind the counter. For baked goods, one would go to a baker; for meat, a butcher; and for fruits and vegetables, a grocer. One stop shopping did not yet exist.

THE A&P STORE

nter the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, which began in New York City in 1859. A&P, as

it was known, offered lower prices since it was a wholesale buyer, distributer and retail seller. It did not exist outside of New York City until 1871. By 1884, as a chain store, A&P operated as far west as Missouri and as far south as Geor gia. On April 1, 1907, A&P’s 275th store opened—in Hackensack. A&P’s company model was a no-frills store with one employee, and—like the general store—the clerk would fill the or der for the shopper. A&P was well known for its teas, coffees and groceries. Aside from fresh eggs, butter and some cheese, everything was packaged or canned. By 1912, A&P expanded into selling fresh fruit and vegetables, and by 1927, the

Last general store in Bergen County: Lakeview Market, Woodcliff Lake.

54 AUTUMN YEARS I SPRING 2023