Bernard Kroger opens the first Kroger grocery store

Background. Bernard Heinrich "Henry" Kroger, born to German immigrants, was the fifth of ten children. In 1883, at age 23, he invested his life savings of $372 to open a grocery store in downtown Cincinnati. This initial capitalization laid the groundwork for what would become a significant retail operation, distinct from later corporate expansions.

Early Growth. Following the initial opening, Kroger expanded his operations. In 1884, he opened a second location, though an unexpected overnight flood ruined the original store, prompting partners to open another. By 1885, the company had four stores, growing to 30 by 1900. These early years established the physical footprint of the chain.

Retail Innovations. Kroger introduced pioneering practices such as self-service shopping in 1895, allowing customers to enter stores and take merchandise home themselves. He was the first to mark sale prices on every individual item and combined grocery stores with bakeries and meat markets, offering fresh meat and baked goods under the same roof.