The G.C. Murphy Company, which hailed from the Keystone State, developed its large-format discount department store in the 1960s.

Graphic from the G.C. Murphy Company

On May 27, 1970, the company rolled out its very first Murphy's Mart store. It was located in Bethel Park, a Pittsburgh suburb. Encompassing 151,000 square feet, the building had been adapted from a previously-existing department store. The first purpose-built Murphy's Mart opened in July 1970, in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania.

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1970 

Murphy's Mart stores dealt in general merchandise and included a garden shop and snack bar. Some units also featured a supermarket and bank. There were three Mart formats. The smallest stores, known as the "700 Series," covered 66,000 square feet. "800 Series" units measured around 88,000 square feet. The largest Murphy's Marts, or those of the "900 Series," encompassed 98,000.

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1973 

The standard Murphy's Mart featured full lines of ladies, young ladies, children's and men's apparel.

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1970 

Sporting goods of every description were also available.

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1973

Stores included an attached Auto Center, which sold tires, batteries and other automotive needs. 

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1973

Murphy's Mart stores often anchored shopping malls. Here, we see the BUTLER MALL unit, in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

Photo from the G.C. Murphy Company Annual Report 1973 

The Murphy's Mart phenomenon proved to be too much of a good thing. The chain had expanded so quickly that it soon became unmanageable. Corporate downsizing and the shuttering of "underperforming" stores failed to halt the inevitable decline of the Murphy's enterprise. In 1985, Connecticut's Ames Department Stores acquired Murphy's variety and Murphy's Mart stores via a hostile takeover. 

Graphic from Ames Department Stores, Incorporated