The History of Our Grocery Store
In 1923, my grandparents, Sidney and Mollie Ball, started a small neighborhood grocery store on the corner of 6th and Stewart streets in Kansas City, Kansas.
There was no money to hire help, so the two of them ran the grocery store from early in the morning to late evening. My grandmother ran the cash register and kept the books; my grandfather stocked the shelves, went to the market, and unloaded the truck.
As their business grew, they were able to hire a couple of employees to help out. Today that humble beginning has evolved into a corporation called Ball's Food Stores.
There are currently 25 stores that spread throughout the metropolitan area under the names of Hen House Market, Ball's Price Chopper, Payless Discount Foods and SunFresh Market. Nearly 4,000 people – we like to refer to them as teammates – work in those stores. "Our grocery store," as my grandfather said decades ago, "is only as good as the people who work there." We are very fortunate to have dedicated people who create great stores for our customers.
Ball's Food Stores has come a long way since my grandparents opened their first store in 1923. I take great pride in being a part of the best grocery operation in the area, and even greater pride in being the third generation to lead this company, following in the footsteps of my father, Fred Ball.
– David Ball
Our History
1923
A Humble Beginning
Sidney and Mollie Ball open a small neighborhood grocery store with a monthly credit system and home delivery.
1934
Cash and Carry
Sidney has a new idea, cash and carry, and opens a second store with this new concept that offered lower prices.
1941
Take-Home Dinners
Mollie Ball makes take-home dinners to sell for working mothers during World War II. Her meat loaf became famous throughout the neighborhood.
1948
Kansas City's First Supermarket
Ball's opens Kansas City's first large-scale "supermarket" and customers flock to the new store.
1956
Fred Joins the Business
Their second "supermarket" opens and Sidney and Mollie's son, Fred, joins the business after college.
1965
Preparing for Growth
The Pillsbury Doughboy is born and Fred prepares the company for expansion and the rapid industry changes that lie ahead.
1973
Second Generation
Sidney and Mollie turn over control of the Company to their only son, Fred Ball.
1989
Hen House Joins the Family
The Company purchased two Kansas City conventional markets called Hen House that had a citywide reputation for fresh poultry and seafood from Buck Hinson.
1996
Largest Retail Grocer
Balls Food Stores has grown to be the largest retail grocer in Kansas City.
2004
Third Generation
David Ball takes the reins and continues the family tradition of providing great food at a great price.
2016
Leawood Remodel
Remodeling of Leawood Hen House Market.
2023
100 Years
100 years as Kansas City's local hometown market.
"Our grocery store is only as good as the people who work there."