General Info

In 1948, Jim Witherspoon and Lee Wegener began operating a "service merchandiser" business, providing supermarkets across a five-state area with health and beauty aids, housewares, records and tapes and some softline items. Based on this concept of operating an "outlet" store for the products offered to the supermarkets, Witherspoon and Wegener opened their first Pamdia store in 1963. The store offers a range of apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, appliances, toys, stationery and furniture. It also provides a variety of home d cor, electronic, and health and beauty products. Pamida operates a pharmacy division and offers free blood pressure checkup and prescription mail services. In 1999, ShopKo Stores, a fortune 500 company headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., purchased Pamida. In 2005, ShopKo was purchased by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, a leading private investment firm. In addition, the company operates the Pamida Foundation that supports local communities with charitable contributions and organizes various charitable events, such as Shop with a Cop, Relay for Life, Hometown Hero Day, Canine Rescue and golf tournaments. It also offers community relations programs and sponsors various organizations, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Human Services for Disabled and United Way. Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., Pamida operates a store in New Hampton, Iowa.