"The Hinky Dinky chain of grocery stores got its start in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925 and grew steadily for over 40 years. By the mid-30s was responsible for about 30% of the Omaha grocery market. Hinky Dinky reached its peak in the mid-60s, with 40 stores operating throughout the Midwest. However, the company's demise began shortly after it was sold in 1972."
"Hinky Dinky was opened by brothers Jule, Henry, and Albert Newman, along with their cousin Ben Silver. When choosing the store's name, they were inspired by beloved Southern staple Piggly Wiggly to come up with a similarly silly name. The family-owned business ended up taking its name from the chorus of a WWI song called "Mademoiselle from Armentières," which had the line "hinky dinky parlez-vous.""
Hinky Dinky began in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925 and expanded steadily, capturing about 30% of the Omaha grocery market by the mid-1930s. The chain peaked in the mid-1960s with 40 stores across the Midwest. The company was sold in 1972 and began to decline thereafter; by 1985 many stores closed and in 1999 Nash Finch acquired the remaining stores and retired the Hinky Dinky name. The chain was founded by brothers Jule, Henry, and Albert Newman and their cousin Ben Silver and took its name from a WWI song chorus. Hinky Dinky pioneered specialist departments, grocery banking terminals, and large outside warehouses for excess stock.
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