A Black History Month Salute To Two GR Business Pioneers

  • The Grand Rapids Times
  • February 14th, 2020
A Black History Month Salute To Two GR Business Pioneers

Part I

As pioneering businessmen, Wilson Tate and Frank Thomas became co - owners of Madison Food Town, located at 1300 Madison SE in Grand Rapids.

Their purchase and partnership in 1982 made them the first Blacks to own a supermarket in this city, the largest black - owned and operated in the Midwest.

The two men brought to their enterprise, years of combined experience with the Kroger grocery chain and its Bi -Lo store.

When Kroger sold the stores in the division where Tate and Thomas were employed, the two men decided to venture out on their own.

They later moved Madison Food Town slightly north, relocating the store to 1226 Madison SE in to a newly constructed facility as the anchor in Madison Square Shopping Center and renaming it Madison Food Center.

Owners at that location for 20 years, Tate and Thomas sold the supermarket at their retirement.

Together, they jointly received a Milo Brown Business Giant Award for their trailblazing achievements.

Next Week: Charles Davis and Nolan Groce

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