Scott's Food & Pharmacy
Scott's Food & Pharmacy was an Indiana supermarket chain that operated primarily in the Fort Wayne market before its stores were closed or converted to Kroger locations.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Scott's Food & Pharmacy was a supermarket chain based in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, market. Its origins date to 1954, when Donald G. Scott opened his first store. The business later became connected with William Reitz, and the two organizations merged in 1979 after Scott and Reitz had developed separate grocery operations. This merger helped establish the regional chain that subsequently operated under the Scott's name. In 1991, Scott's was acquired by SuperValu, a major American grocery wholesaler and retail operator. SuperValu later adopted the Scott's Food & Pharmacy name for the chain, reflecting a format that combined conventional supermarket merchandise with pharmacy services. Under SuperValu ownership, the business expanded beyond its original base and operated a number of stores in Indiana. Its retail proposition centered on everyday grocery shopping, including food and household products, with pharmacy departments at stores that used the combined Food & Pharmacy format. The chain changed ownership again in 2007, when The Kroger Company acquired Scott's from SuperValu for $33 million. At the time of the transaction, Scott's had 18 locations. Kroger placed the business within its Central division, alongside other regional supermarket operations including Owen's Market and Pay Less Food Markets. The acquisition gave Kroger additional stores and market presence in Indiana, but the Scott's banner did not remain a long-term standalone identity within Kroger's portfolio. Kroger announced in July 2007 that five Indiana stores would close. Over the following years, additional locations were closed or converted to Kroger-branded stores. By late 2014, only one Scott's location remained. The final store, located in Fort Wayne, was ultimately rebranded as Kroger in 2016. That conversion ended Scott's operation as a distinct retail chain and marked the disappearance of the Scott's Food & Pharmacy banner from the market. The brand's history illustrates the consolidation of regional American grocery chains into larger supermarket groups. Scott's developed from a local family-linked grocery business into a regional operator, passed to SuperValu, and then became part of Kroger's Indiana network. Its eventual closure was not described as a separate bankruptcy; rather, the chain was gradually absorbed through store closures and rebranding. Donald G. Scott, the company's founder, died in 2008, one year after the Kroger acquisition.
History
Donald G. Scott opened the first Scott's grocery store in 1954. The business was part of the developing supermarket trade in Indiana and became associated with William Reitz, who operated a separate grocery organization. Scott and Reitz merged their companies in 1979, creating a larger regional operation. SuperValu acquired Scott's in 1991. Following the acquisition, the business was identified as Scott's Food & Pharmacy and was expanded as part of SuperValu's retail portfolio. The format combined supermarket merchandise with pharmacy departments, serving customers in the Fort Wayne area and elsewhere in Indiana. The company remained a regional rather than national chain. In 2007, SuperValu sold Scott's to The Kroger Company for $33 million. The chain had 18 locations when Kroger acquired it. Kroger assigned the stores to its Central division, which also included Owen's Market and Pay Less Food Markets. Although the acquisition added Scott's locations to Kroger's Indiana operations, the Scott's identity was progressively reduced. Kroger announced the closure of five Indiana stores in July 2007, and other stores were subsequently closed or converted to Kroger locations. By late 2014, only one Scott's store remained. The surviving Fort Wayne location was eventually rebranded as Kroger in 2016. This conversion ended Scott's Food & Pharmacy as an operating chain. The company therefore ceased through gradual consolidation and banner conversion rather than through a reported bankruptcy or public liquidation. Donald G. Scott died in 2008, after the Kroger transaction and during the period in which the chain was being integrated into Kroger's regional structure.
- 2016
Scott's banner ends
[1]The final Fort Wayne store was rebranded as Kroger, ending Scott's Food & Pharmacy operations.
- 2014
Only one location remains
[1]By late 2014, store closures and rebranding had reduced the chain to one Scott's location.
- 2007
Kroger acquisition
[1]Kroger acquired Scott's from SuperValu for $33 million; the chain had 18 locations.
- 1991
Acquisition by SuperValu
[1]SuperValu acquired Scott's and subsequently used the Scott's Food & Pharmacy name.
- 1979
Scott and Reitz companies merge
[1]Donald G. Scott and William Reitz merged their grocery companies, strengthening the regional operation.
- 1954
First Scott's store opens
[1]Donald G. Scott opened the first store associated with the Scott's grocery business.
Products and positioning
A regional Indiana supermarket chain combining conventional grocery retail with pharmacy services, primarily serving shoppers in and around Fort Wayne.
Grocery retail · 1954
Supermarket groceries
Scott's stores sold the standard range of supermarket merchandise, including food, packaged groceries, fresh products, and household necessities. The chain served primarily local and regional Indiana customers rather than operating as a national specialty retailer.
Retail pharmacy
Pharmacy services
The Food & Pharmacy format incorporated pharmacy departments into supermarket locations. These departments complemented the grocery business and allowed customers to obtain prescription and related pharmacy products during routine shopping visits.
Brand decisions
2016
Final store converted to KrogerStrategyBackground
Store closures and previous conversions had reduced Scott's to one Fort Wayne location by late 2014.
Action taken
Kroger rebranded the final Scott's store under the Kroger banner.
Aftermath
Scott's Food & Pharmacy ceased operating as a distinct chain.
2007
Kroger purchases Scott's from SuperValuM&ABackground
SuperValu sold the regional chain to Kroger when Scott's operated 18 locations.
Action taken
Kroger acquired Scott's for $33 million and placed the stores within its Central division.
Aftermath
Kroger announced five Indiana store closures and gradually reduced the use of the Scott's banner through further closures and conversions.
Acquisition price. $33 million (2007)
1991
SuperValu acquires Scott'sM&ABackground
Scott's became part of SuperValu's grocery retail portfolio as the regional supermarket sector continued to consolidate.
Action taken
SuperValu acquired the chain and later operated it under the Scott's Food & Pharmacy name.
Aftermath
The business continued operating as a regional Indiana supermarket chain and expanded with additional stores under SuperValu ownership.
Recent events
- 2016
Final Scott's store is rebranded as Kroger[1]
Other
The last Scott's store, located in Fort Wayne, was converted to the Kroger banner, ending the chain's independent brand presence.
- 2007
SuperValu sells Scott's Food & Pharmacy to Kroger[1]
M&A
The Kroger Company acquired Scott's from SuperValu for $33 million. The chain had 18 stores at the time of the transaction.
- 2007
Kroger announces closures of five Indiana Scott's stores[1]
Other
After acquiring the chain, Kroger announced that five Scott's stores in Indiana would close.
Sources1 sources
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