Vons

Vons is a chain of supermarkets in southern California and a division of Safeway. Vons operates stores as Vons or Pavilions.

History
Charles Von der Ahe founded a grocery store called Von's Groceteria in downtown Los Angeles in 1906. Soon, there were 87 stores, and he sold the chain to McMarr Stores (which was acquired by Skagg's Safeway. In 1932, the chain was re-opened as Vons Grocery Company. Vons soon grew larger, and in 1960, Vons acquired Shopping Bag Food Stores. The Von der Ahe family sold the chain to Household Finance Corporation in 1969. In 1984, Mexican-American William Davila became CEO of Vons, the first Mexican-American to become CEO of a supermarket. He also opened the Hispanic-based chain Tianguis. In 1986, Household spun-off Vons, and they merged with Allied Supermarkets. Also in 1986, Vons started the chain Pavilions, a 'combination store,' which offered a variety of upscale products, and a full-service pharmacy. Pavilions opened its first store in Garden Grove. In 1988, Safeway left southern California, so they sold their stores to Vons for an exchange of a 30% interest. In 1997, Safeway purchased the rest.