Produce and Waterfront in Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

United Grocers

Oakland Waterfront Warehouse District

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

1. United Grocers Marker

Inscription. "United We Buy ... Individually We Sell” was the marketing tag line of United Grocers, Ltd., a wholesale grocer that supplied 1,460 retail outlets in northern California and Nevada and posted $1 billion in annual sales by the time it was purchased in 1984 by the giant food company, Fleming Companies, Inc. United Grocers, Ltd. operated as a for-profit wholesale grocery cooperative whose members were retail grocers. The Richmond-based company vacated this Oakland warehouse in 1947. Later occupants included other wholesale grocery companies. Among them were Wellman Peck & Co. and Mutual Grocery Co.

Designer Unknown • Construction Date 1931-32
Architectural Style Early 20th century utilitarian

Erected by Jack London Neighborhood Association. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1984.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 47.737′ N, 122° 16.235′ W. Marker was in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It was in Produce and Waterfront. It was at the intersection of Fourth Street

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and Alice Street, on the right when traveling north on Fourth Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It was also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: C.L. Greeno Pacific Coast Headquarters (here, next to this marker); Autocar Sales & Service Co. (a few steps from this marker); Western States Grocery (a few steps from this marker); United Grocers Ltd. Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Prime Smoked Meats (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Former Safeway Headquarters (about 300 feet

United Grocers Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

2. United Grocers Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here, forming the top part of the trash receptacle on the corner.

away); Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice (about 300 feet away); S&W Fine Foods Warehouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Western States (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Autocar Sales (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); C.L. Greeno Co. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Fourth St. circa 1962 (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Safeway Stores (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Replacement United Grocers Ltd. Warehouse Marker

Additional commentary.
1. Marker Replaced
The historical markers in the Waterfront Warehouse District have been updated. A different marker on the same subject has been placed kitty-corner from where this one was located.

— Submitted July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.