Clover Discount Store

Clover was a discount chain of 26 stores operated by Strawbridge & Clothier in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Clover stores averaged 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m²), but the first five stores it opened, ran about 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m²) to 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m²).

History

This particular Clover, located at Cottman and Castor Avenue, in Philadelphia, PA, was originally a Lit Brothers location (1955-1977), and later a JCPenney location. This Clover was open from 1978 to 1996.

The first Clover store opened in 1971. The management of Strawbridge & Clothier based their Clover store format on Dayton Hudson's Target store chain and Federated’s Gold Circle Discount store. The name was taken from S&C's periodic sale days, Clover Days. The similarities to Target were evident throughout the life of Clover. The earliest locations included a food store (Clovermarket) adjacent to the main store. S&C did not operate the food stores for long and they were converted to Acme or P.L.U.S. (an A&P no-frills format).

In 1978, Strawbridge & Clothier partnered with the Rouse Company developing two mini-malls next to their Cinnaminson and Center Square stores, that were called Clover Square. These had a mixture of national and regional chains and independent stores. The malls opened with a food court in one corner of the square-shaped corridor. These malls later became Outlet Square. Now, they are both supermarkets.

In 1995, May Department Stores purchased Strawbridge's. Kimco Realty Corporation paid $35.5 million for 23 Clover stores, leaving Strawbridge with three Clover sites. Kohl's subsequently purchased 5 Clover stores. Kimco liquidated the Clover stores and sold the buildings. Due to unfavorable lease agreements, the Clover stores located in Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Hamilton Township, NJ, and Penrose Plaza in Southwest Philadelphia were unable to be divested along with the rest of the chain. Gordon Brothers Partners, Inc. of Boston was retained to liquidate the 23 stores that were sold and to operate the remaining three stores through December 31, 2006.

Strawbridge's parent, May Department Stores, was sold to Federated Department Stores in 2006 and the Strawbridge's name was rebranded in favor of Macy's.

When Clover closed many of its stores were purchased by Kohl's.