Timeline of Modesto-born Save Mart Supermarkets through the years leading to Kingswood sale
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Save Mart grocery chain, which got its start on Crows Landing Road in Modesto.
The company was acquired this week by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Kingswood Capital Management LP. A timeline of major milestones in the Stanislaus County headquartered supermarket company’s history.
1952 - Brothers-in-law Nick Tocco and Mike Piccinini open first Save Mart grocery on Crows Landing Road in Modesto
1971 - Save Mart President Mike Piccinini passes away at age 55 from a heart attack
1984 - Save Mart opens eight new stores and begins a partnership with Mid-Valley Dairy to sell Sunnyside Farms products
1985 - Bob Piccinini, Mike Piccinini’s son, buys the company from family members and begins tenure as CEO
1986 - Save Mart opens its first FoodMaxx, a warehouse-style grocery store, in Bakersfield
1989 - Save Mart buys 27 Fry’s Food Stores in the Bay Area
1995 - Nick Tocco, who served as company president for several years, passes away at age 77
2002 - Save Mart buys out 28 Food 4 Less locations in California and turns them into FoodMaxx stores
2003 - Save Mart Center, a multipurpose arena, opens at California State University, Fresno
2007 - Save Mart acquires a 128-store Northern California chain and rebrands it as Lucky supermarkets
2015 - Bob Piccinini passes away at age 73 after some 30 years stewarding the company’s growth
2016 - Nicole Pesco, Bob Piccinini’s daughter, takes over as company CEO
2021 - Chris McGarry takes over as company CEO, the first non-founding family member to hold the position
2022 - The Save Mart Companies is acquired by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Kingswood Capital Management LP
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 1:02 PM.
