First National Stores, Incorporated was formed in April 1925 as a merger of three New England grocers; the John. T. Connor Company, Ginter Company and O'Keefe's, Incorporated. The Economy Grocery Company {Connecticut} was acquired in 1929. The Nicholson-Thackray Company {Rhode Island}, Davey Brothers Company {Connecticut} and Modern Grocery Company {also of Connecticut}, were bought during 1929, as well. With these mergers, First National Stores operated 2,002 units.
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1927


The exterior of a large-format, First National Combination Meat, Vegetable & Grocery store. The company was operating 121 such units in 1929.
Photo from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1928 


Here, we see the interior of a typical Meat, Vegetable & Grocery unit. It was a full-service facility where all orders were filled by behind-the-counter clerks. First National's first self-service grocery departments were introduced in 1937.
Photo from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1928 


A conventional First National Neighborhood Grocery Store is shown above. It sold groceries, but did not have a meat counter. In 1929, there were 1881 units in operation. 
Photo from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1928 


This emblem promoted "Economy-First National Stores" in 1931. The company operated 2,538 units in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The corporate headquarters had been established -in Somerville, Massachusetts- in 1925. The peak number of First National Stores was achieved in 1933, with 2,705 units. 
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated


This trademark was in vogue in 1941. The ongoing conversion of existing units to larger, self-service-type stores resulted in the consolidation and shuttering of older units. A reduced store count stood at 1,923 units.
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated 


This modernized logo was in use during the early-to-mid 1950s. At the end of 1957, 575 stores were in operation, with 341 being large-sized supermarkets.   
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated 


The typical First National Stores supermarket of the mid-1950s. The size of units ranged between 22,600 and 38,000 square feet.
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1954


A new trademark was introduced in 1958. During 1960, several stores began awarding S & H Green Stamps with every purchase. Moreover, selected stores were equipped with delicatessens selling pre-cooked, convenience foods. The 1960 store count stood at 534, with all of these being supermarkets. 
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated


A First National unit in Portland, Maine, circa-1965. At this time, the company was overseeing 600 stores. 
Photo from First National Stores, Incorporated Annual Report 1965 


First National's "private label" merchandise underwent a massive re-labeling program during 1968, with new "Finast" branding used. Finast products included regular grind coffee, homogenized milk, fancy small whole onions, flaky pie crust mix and butter flavored cookies.
Photo from First National Stores, Incorporated 


The first Finast-branded stores opened in January 1964. In 1978, Pick 'n Pay Supermarkets, of Ohio, acquired First National Stores. In 1981, there were ninety-six New England units, with fifty-seven in operation in Ohio. The company was sold to Holland's Koninklijke Ahold N.V., in 1988. The final Finast stores closed in 1993.    
Graphic from First National Stores, Incorporated

FIRST NATIONAL STORES JUNIOR-ANCHORED SHOPPING MALLS:

*CROSS COUNTY CENTER, Yonkers, NY (1954) [outparcel]
*MID-ISLAND PLAZA, Nassau County, NY (1956)
*ROUTE 30 MALL, Framingham, MA (1970)