History of food city tucson
Najeeb Basha immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1886; he and his wife Najeeby moved to Arizona in 1910. The family struggled for years in retail sales in the Arizona mining towns of Ray and Sonora, facing numerous setbacks, but remained determined to succeed. The first store to officially incorporate the Bashas’ name opened in 1932 in Goodyear, Arizona, as a company store. Employees of J. G. Boswell could purchase groceries with company scrip. Bashas’ was founded by Najeeb and Najeeby’s sons, Ike Basha and Eddie Basha, Sr.[5]
Bashas’ acquired Megafoods stores in Arizona in 1996.
On July 12, 2009, Bashas’ filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11, citing the weak economy, increased competition, and their ongoing legal fight with the UFCW union. The company emerged from bankruptcy in late 2010. The Chapter 11 plan provided for payment in full of all creditors.
Upon the death of Eddie Sr., leadership was taken over by Eddie Basha, Jr. Eddie Jr. died in March 2013, and the CEO is now Eddie Jr.’s son, Eddie Basha III.
Bashas
Bashas’ Supermarkets are traditional grocery stores. The company competes primarily against Kroger-owned, Arizona-based Fry’s Food and Drug, along with Albertsons and Safeway locations in Arizona.
Bashas’ Diné Markets are located on the Navajo Nation. They specialize in the needs of Navajo customers, with products such as Blue Bird flour for fry bread, mutton, and wool.[11] Stores are labeled in both Navajo and English.
Slogans: “Where You’ve Got a Friend”; “From Our Family to Yours Since 1932”; “Sensational Savings… and Service too!”
AJ’s Fine Foods
AJ’s Fine Foods are gourmet and specialty stores. The stores feature chef-prepared entrees, an extensive wine collection with trained cellar staff, and specialty baked goods. These are the few former Bayless Markets left.
Slogans: “Experience the Difference”; “The Purveyors of Fine Foods”.
Food City
Food City was acquired by Bashas’ in 1993. Food City acquired the Southwest Supermarkets stores in 2001 and offers a full variety of ethnic and Hispanic food choices. Some of these stores were also previously Bayless Markets.
