Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Jitney Jungle

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2016

1. Jitney Jungle Marker

Inscription. Prior to the opening of the Jitney Jungle on the corner of South and Monroe streets in 1933, grocery stores generally sold only groceries and were "full service" establishments with clerks to gather the items on a person's list. The modern innovations offered at this store by owners Pete, Sr. and Bessie Nosser made it the first grocery store with the one-stop shopping approach in Mississippi. The Jitney was self-service, served hot meals at its lunch counter, and added a pharmacy, cafeteria, cleaners, and toy store. Pete immigrated from Syria in 1920 and worked as a stock boy in Joe Boolos’ Openwood store. He planned and saved for thirteen years before opening his own store, the first of four Jitney Jungles established by the Nossers in Vicksburg. The flagship store, known as the "Big Jitney", benefited from its gregarious owner, Mr. Pete, who knew, greeted, and catered to every customer. He and his family also participated in community affairs, including as a member of the board of Mercy Hospital and as a director of First National Bank for 47 years. The "Big Jitney" burned in 1965 and an office building now stands there.

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Jitney was rebuilt in 1966 at another location. The Glass Kitchen, owned by Fred Nosser, was a fixture in downtown from 1946 to 1986.
Sponsored by the Family of Pete and Bessie Nosser, Sr.

Erected 2009 by City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 32° 21.144′ N, 90° 52.995′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It can be reached from the intersection of Levee Street and Grove Street, on the left when traveling north. Mural is painted on the levee flood wall, beside the railroad tracks on the west side of Levee Street. Marker is mounted at ground level, directly in front of the mural. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North

Jitney Jungle Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2016

2. Jitney Jungle Mural

(located in front of marker)

America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice (here, next to this marker); Vicksburg's Original Floodwall (here, next to this marker); LeTourneau (here, next to this marker); Miss Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane (a few steps from this marker); Rosa A. Temple High School (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vicksburg Campaign and Siege (within shouting distance of this marker); "Two Bridges at Sunset" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Also see . . .
1. The Jitney Jungle: Breaking Ground in the Grocery Business. (Submitted on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Jitney Jungle. Founded in 1919, Jitney Jungle remained a

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private, family-owned grocery chain until 1996. The history of this Mississippi-based firm documents important changes in food retailing in the twentieth century, from the earliest stages of self-service store design in the 1920s to the rise of the supermarket in the 1930s and the discount megamarket of the 1970s. (Submitted on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.