Food For Thought: Social & Historic Value of the Mid-century Supermarket

Abstract

The modern supermarket emerged in the mid-20th century, responding to the evolving needs of the rapidly changing social and urban landscape in post-war America. Now ingrained in our culture and community, the phenomenon is emerging as potential addition to our historic fabric. This thesis looks at the evolution of the supermarket through the lens of community value, cultural significance, and changing technologies—and investigates the reuse potential of a typology often overlooked in preservation.