Park and Shop History

Store History:

"Francis J. Mahar was just starting out in the grocery business, working for the Market Basket Stores. Eager to venture out on his own, on his eighteenth birthday, October 13, 1923, he opened the first Service Store on Center Street in Olean. He continued working at Market Basket until 1936, when he decided to devote full time to his own business. By that time, in addition to the Center Street location, there was a Service Store at 1504 West State Street, another at 1020 North Union Street, and a fourth in Arcade. By 1942 the Center Street store had outgrown its building, and a new Boardmanville store was opened at the corner of Main and Front Streets.

By 1947, when Service Stores were formally incorporated, the 'home office' at 210 Coleman Street became too small, both because of increased business and because of the growing number of Mahar children. The company offices were then moved to 1602 West Henley Street. This was also the site of the company’s new warehouse, which not only supplied the Service Stores, but also served as a wholesale distributor to smaller independent stores in the area.

Even though Francis Mahar, Sr. was the founder and driving force behind the Service Stores, their growth and success would not have been possible without the help of many other people. His wife, Margaret, who began working ....."

The history is a bit dated (for instance Dan Mahar has died since the original publication), but most is still accurate. For the entire history, click here.