On Wednesday August 7, Publix is opening its North Shore location at 400 N. Market Street, about a block away from the North Chattanooga Post Office. My radio friend Earl Freudenberg remembers that property well: “Grandpa would sit on the porch and tell me a big supermarket would be located on this property someday. He believed in North Chattanooga. His prophecy is coming true.”
Earl continues, “The Publix is located where my family once lived, and operated Freudbenburg’s Grocery Store, starting in the early 1900s. That was our family’s homeplace. My grandmother Euna and her sister Claudia lived there until their deaths. My family then sold the homes to an investor. The grocery store founded by my great-grandfather and his dad remained in operation until the mid-1940s.”
You’ll notice, if you look closely, the family name on the store sign ends with “burg” instead of Earl’s current spelling of “berg.” He says, “I think my grandmother changed it, but I don’t know why.” The man on the left is Earl’s great-grandfather, with his children: the boy on the right is Earl’s grandfather, with his sister in the middle.
Someone sent Earl the e-mail image of this framed photo that you see here, but he doesn’t know who owns the actual photo, or where it is located. I think it would be a great idea if this photo could be enlarged and framed, and then would hang at the entrance of the new Publix.
Get your fresh meats!
Old photos courtesy Earl Freudenberg
Here’s a 1939 ad for the store: fresh hog brains are only 10 cents a pound! Country butter (mmmm…) just 25 cents a pound. Misses and ladies bloomers (silk, of course) for just 25 cents.
If the new store would pledge to offer the same family-type personal service those Freudenburgs did for so many decades, it should be around for a long time. Welcome Publix, you’re carrying on a grand tradition of the grocery business at 400 North Market Street!
With respect to service, the Publix I shop at is great for a grocery store.
Publix in Ooletwah is a great store. Friendly courteous staff,good service. The only thing that keeps me from going there more often are the prices. I wish I was in a position to choose Publix over less expensive stores.
Hey Earl! Publix is carrying on your family tradition!
I work for Publix i opened downtown . I’m now at the East Brainerd location, when i was there that picture was in the store at the customer service desk along with Publix founder George Jenkins . And trust me Publix is carrying on the tradition and then some !!