Buttrey's
Supermarkets
648 N. Jackson and The Hustad Center
THE
WES AND CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION
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This 1938
art deco building at Jackson and 13th, still standing, has
seen numerous tenants over the decades. In this 1949 photo,
we see it as Buttrey's Super Market. The structure was built
in 1938 by Ellis Blumenthal, who opened his Nuway Super Market
there on November 19. Less than a year later, he sold out
to the Buttrey's chain, who held their grand opening in Helena
on August 18, 1939 (see newspaper ad below). It was the 16th
store in the Buttrey's chain...
Buttrey's
1939 Grand Opening Ad
Buttrey's
was founded in Havre, Montana in 1896, At its peak, Buttrey
operated 60 grocery stores across nine western states and
was based in Great Falls, Montana.
In November
of 1956, Buttrey's moved from the Jackson Street location
to the new Hustad Shopping Center at the corner of Helena
Ave. and National Avenue...
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Buttrey's
in the Hustad Center ~ 1956 Grand
Opening Ad
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Tony
Polich (1918-2005)
Manager of Helena Buttrey's markets from 1950 to 1964
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Helena High School Lads Employed by Buttrey Foods
From the
1961 "Vigilante" Yearbook
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
| The young men have been identifed as, from left to right: Jack Nelson, Cliff Kunnary, Butch Warfield, Bill Anderson, Rich Clark, Rudy Ledvinka, Scott Brown & Dick Mortieau. Thnaks to Dick Mortieau for the names! |
Buttrey
Foods Employees - "Gay Ninety Days" Promotion - May 6, 1961
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN
A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
"Star", the Armour Meat Company's Robotic Elephant, at Buttrey's
in the Hustad Center, 1968
COURTESY
OF JODIE MILLER
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Jodie Miller
at Buttrey's in the Hustad Center with "Star", the
promotional robotic elephant from the Armour meat company, May
1968. According to available online newspaper archives, the
elephant was displayed in supermarkets around the U. S. from
1965 to 1968. It appeared in Helena no less than four times
during that period -- at Buttrey's in Sept. of 1965 and May
of 1968, and at Albertson's in Feb. of 1966 and October of 1968.
Many thanks to Jodie for sharing this delightful image!
Osco Drug
opened a big new store at 1000 Boulder Ave. in 1967; it is unclear
from the available archives just when Buttrey's moved from the
Hustad Center to share that new location, but it was there by
May of 1969.
For
a detailed history of Buttrey's, click
this Wikipedia link.
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