Fareway's Fred Vitt: Iowa Time Machine July 25, 1981

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 25, 1981, Fred Vitt was named chairman of Fareway Stores, Inc., marking a new chapter for the beloved Midwestern grocery chain. Fred Vitt’s elevation to the role of chairman symbolized not just personal achievement but also the enduring family and community ethos at the heart of the Fareway legacy.

Fareway’s origins date back to May 12, 1938, when Paul S. Beckwith, alongside co-founder Fred Vitt, opened the first store in Boone, Iowa. Their revolutionary approach introduced the concept of the self-service grocery store to the region, an improvement that allowed customers to browse and select their own groceries. The founders’ emphasis on quality products and fair treatment for customers and employees quickly set Fareway apart in the grocery business, laying the groundwork for successful expansion throughout the Midwest.

Fred Vitt, known for his integrity and patient mentorship, was entrusted as the first manager and vice president of the Boone store at the company’s founding. He had earned a reputation for fairness and devotion to both patrons and staff, which mirrored the values that founder Beckwith cherished. Vitt’s hands-on managerial style and people-first philosophy helped steer Fareway through its formative years, ensuring not only the chain’s commercial growth but also its deepening roots in the local communities it served.

By 1981, Fareway had evolved into a regional powerhouse, with Vitt’s leadership pivotal in adapting to changing times. His appointment as chairman that year reflected recognition for his decades of dedicated service, marked by an ability to balance tradition with innovation. Under Vitt’s guidance, Fareway continued to expand its footprint, introducing modern management practices and fostering a corporate culture that valued autonomy for individual store managers. Fred Vitt’s tenure as chairman reinforced Fareway’s foundational principles: treating employees and customers with respect, maintaining fair prices, and serving communities with integrity. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar