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Charles Theodore Von der Ahe was born in Denmark on August 29, 1882. His family moved to the United States in 1889, and they eventually settled in Illinois. Von der Ahe became an American businessman, an innovator in the grocery business in Southern California. He founded the Vons supermarket chain in Southern California. In 1906 he opened Von's Groceteria, his first store at the corner of 7th and Figueroa streets in Downtown Los Angeles. The chain eventually grew to more than 325 stores. He died on June 4, 1973. Photograph caption dated December 9, 1954 reads "A magic wand activated the automatic doors of the new Von's Pacoima Market yesterday at Woodman and Osborne. Left to right are Kenneth Lynch, director of the Pacoima Chamber of Commerce; Dan Spencer, mayor of San Fernando; Lillian M. Freidman, Pacoima postmaster; Charles von der Ahe, founder of Von's Grocery Company; Bert Maze, representative of the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce; Mrs. Charles Von der Ahe, holding the magic wand opening the doors; Wilfred Von der Ahe, company executive; Byron Roberts, market manager; Walter Rueff, president of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce; Stella Boaz, Von's training instructor; Jerry Etienne, grocery department manager; Ted Von der Ahe, company executive, and Ed Hershman, Von's delicatessen supervisor."
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Image
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1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Von der Ahe, Charles,--1882-1973 Von der Ahe, Charles,--1882-1973--Family Vons Companies Vons Companies--Employees San Fernando Chamber of Commerce--Presidents Men--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Businessmen--California--Los Angeles Mayors--California--San Fernando Families--California--Los Angeles Supermarkets--California--Los Angeles Dedications--California--Pacoima (Los Angeles) Stores & shops--California--Pacoima (Los Angeles) Signs and signboards--California--Pacoima (Los Angeles) Corsages--California--Los Angeles Pacoima (Los Angeles, Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits Valley Times Collection photographs
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