Spot-Lite Food Mart Records (Malta)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-353

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Spot-Lite Food Mart Collection dates from 1950 to 1970. The records consist of business ledgers, inventory logs, tax and insurance records, building records, financial records, clippings, and advertisements.

Dates

created: 1950-1970
Other: Date acquired: 08/11/2016

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection. Original employee income records and Spot-Lite Mart income tax forms contained within the bound business ledgers, 1950-1970 (box 1) have been removed. Copies with sensitive information removed are available to researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

In 1952, Alfred and Opal Heins purchased the grocery side of a local meat locker in Malta, Il, where Opal was employed for three years. In partnership with Robert and Marion Jacobs, the Heins’ began construction on Malta’s first self-service grocery store, Spot-Lite Food Mart in 1952. The grand opening of the store was held on April 11, 1953. Holleb and Company, a Chicago based food service firm, sponsored Spot-Lite Food Marts throughout Illinois. They provided local retailers with access to better, faster, and more affordable merchandise to fill their stores. Throughout 1953 to 1971, Spot-Lite Food Mart was a profitable local business that provided customers with a modern grocery shopping experience. The store came especially equipped with meat and refrigeration cases, and deep-freeze cabinets and shelving. In 1966, the Jacobs sold their half of the business to Opal and Janice and Daniel Haws, Opal’s daughter and son-in-law. The Food Mart was then ran by Alfred Heins, his wife, their daughter Janice, and her husband Daniel until it sold in 1971.

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