Since Jacob Friedman first began serving Butler residents with a pushcart of produce and groceries in 1900, the Friedman's name has been synonymous with consumer satisfaction and modern marketing.

By 1910, Friedman's operated at least one grocery store in Butler (Lyndora), delivered fresh groceries by truck to surrounding communities and was planning the opening of an additional grocery store.

In 1918, Friedman's took a major jump by opening the first modern supermarket in Butler County. It was where the Outdoor Army Store operated for years.

It united meat, groceries, produce, bread, and even an olive bar in one location in downtown Butler. Each department had its own expert manager to assure quality and service. The grand opening included a private preopening reception for valued customers and promotional price specials each week.

Jacob Friedman's sons, Milton and Harold, grew up in the family business, initially helping their parents, then gradually taking over the business as they expanded their stores throughout Butler and Allegheny counties.

Continuously seeking to serve customers better, Friedman's boasts marketplace firsts in electric eye doors, refrigeration, scanning registers, salad bars and hot food to go.

In 1949, the opening of their Monroe Street store incorporated modern marketing practices well before the rest of the industry. The first "Magic Carpet" door openers, six checkouts including two express lanes, and a packing house slicer on premises were major advancements for the time.

The grand opening featured a complete orchestra for entertainment, flowers for the first 2,500 women to visit the store and free Eskimo Pies for all children. A "monkey grinder" and the Wulson Meat Co. Clydesdale Horses Team entertained customers in the parking lot.

Today, under the third generation leadership of Dr. Carole Bitter, the Friedman's Freshmarkets serve over 125,000 households in Butler County. Carole's husband, Rick, grew up in his third generation family business, Bitter's Market, on The Island. Their son, Erick, a fourth generation grocer, has worked part time for the past six years and is studying food marketing in college.

As one of the first women to manage a grocery chain in a male-dominated industry, Carole's unique perspectives and forward-thinking approaches have won her honors from all major grocery organizations. She has continued Friedman's "ahead of the marketplace" innovations and growth into their second century.

The commitment to consumers continues not only in the stores, but also into the community where Friedman's is an active supporter of schools, civic organizations, hospitals and charities.