Joe Albertson

Founder of Albertson's supermarkets and a notable philanthropist, class of 1925 [11]

What is Joe Albertson known for?

Joseph Albert Albertson, born October 17, 1906, in Yukon, Oklahoma Territory, is a notable alumnus of Caldwell High School, Idaho, class of 1925. Not long after his birth, his family moved to Caldwell, Idaho where he later started the renowned Albertsons chain of grocery stores.

From a humble beginning as a clerk at a local Safeway grocery store during his college years, Joe quickly climbed the ranks until he was supervising over a dozen stores. However, this didn't satiate his ambition; he yearned to start and manage his own store. In 1939, joining forces with L.S. Skaggs, a former Safeway division manager, and Tom Cuthbert, Skaggs' accountant, Joe lived his dream by opening his first store based on three key principles: quality, value, and excellent service. Albertson was a pioneer of the one-stop, self-service supermarket concept, and his first store was located in Boise.

The ensuing World War II years saw Joe fill his stores with various non-food items due to food rationing. During this period, his reputation for generosity and community involvement flourished as his stores promoted war bonds and initiated scrap drives for recycling. Following this, the Albertsons brand grew exponentially throughout the 1950s and 60s, becoming a household name in the western United States with an impressive chain of over six hundred stores.

Joe's philanthropic efforts were also remarkable. Alongside his wife, Kathryn, he made several notable donations to the College of Idaho. For sixteen years from 1991 to 2007, it was named Albertson College of Idaho in their honor. One of their most prominent gifts to the Idaho community is the 41-acre Kathryn Albertson Park in Boise, adorned with winding walkways, wildflowers, trees, and ponds—a serene retreat for its citizens.

In 1966, Joe and Kathryn established the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, through which they administered their charitable contributions, primarily focusing on education. Since its inception, the foundation has donated over $750 million to Idaho's communities and continues to accelerate opportunities within the state, keeping their legacy alive.

Joe Albertson passed away on January 20, 1993, in Boise, Idaho, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a successful businessman and generous philanthropist.