Grocery delivery coming full circle

Your story about Jewel stores launching a home delivery service got it wrong. Years ago, prior to the internet, before cellphones, Peapod, and Amazon.com, there stood a home delivery service called Jewel Home Shopping, headquartered in Barrington, which most who read this article have absolutely no recollection of. The program actually pioneered home delivery over 65 years ago.

I drove one of those little brown trucks during my summer break from college, delivering grocery staples, paper goods, cleaning supplies and household gadgets of all kinds to help around the house. Sure, customers could still visit their local Jewel Tea or National Tea stores at the time, but many just liked the convenience of shopping off those beautifully illustrated display and sales fliers that the driver brought to the home of those who signed up for the service. You could also order using your dial or touch-tone home phone if you needed something special on the day your driver was to show up at your house.

I think that business of grocery home shopping, long ago divested by Jewel Osco management, does at least deserve a mention. It's a business that has come full circle, thanks to the internet and cellphones, but Jewel does deserve some much overdue credit for not only looking to bring it back, but to have the foresight 60-plus years ago to pioneer a service that is becoming a staple in our society today.

I am probably dating myself here, but I also remember the milkman, block ice delivery and the waffle truck. Wow! Wonder if they'll make a comeback as well?

Joe Scarnato

Arlington Heights