The chain was founded by Supermarkets General, which previously operated ShopRite stores as a member of the Wakefern cooperative and chose to go into business for itself as a direct competitor.

Before its initial closure, Pathmark previously operated stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

[2] Pathmark was well known for its radio and television commercials starring character actor James Karen, who was the chain's spokesperson for more than 20 years.

In 2016, Allegiance Retail Services purchased the Pathmark name and all intellectual property with the intention of reviving the well-known brand.

[5][6] At this time, Supermarkets General operated 75 ShopRite stores across Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, with annual sales of about $420 million (~$3.01 billion in 2023).

Supermarkets General achieved high volume by opening large stores in densely populated areas and keeping prices low on both nationally branded-goods and private-label items.

In an attempt to diversify, Supermarkets General bought Genung's Inc., a White Plains retailer that operated the Howland's and Steinbach department stores in 1967.

[10] These larger, discount grocery stores also offered health and beauty products, small appliances, and videotape rentals.

Also in 1977, Pathmark started a joint venture with the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation to bring a community grocery store to the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn.

[10] In January 1984, 7,000 butchers and delicatessen clerks at 336 Pathmark, ShopRite, Grand Union, and Foodtown supermarkets in New Jersey and New York voted to go on strike during contract negotiations.

In order to foil a takeover bid by Dart Group Corp., Supermarkets General agreed to be acquired by Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Inc. and its own senior managers for $1.58 billion in April 1987.

Pathmark president Kenneth Peskin replaced Leonard Lieberman as chairman and chief executive officer.

[21][22] To help pay down related debt, the company sold 25 of its Heartland and Pharmacity drug stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts to the Melville Corporation, which operated CVS at the time.

Many Pathmark units had become "unkempt, dirty, and outmoded" stocked with "scores of the dreary no-frills offerings customers have shunned for years.

In November 1989, Robert E. Wunderle, the company's chief economist and vice president of public affairs, was found shot to death in a Rockaway drainage ditch.

Police theorized it was a mob hit related to Wunderle's role with union negotiations, but the case was never solved.

[36] In November, the company closed seven stores in Pennsylvania after union workers rejected a proposal to cut employee salaries.

[38][39] Pathmark was named 1995 "Pharmacy Chain of the Year" by the magazine Drug Topics, the first time a supermarket had won the award.

[43] In March, chief executive Jack Futterman left the company and president Anthony Cuti quit in April.

[44] In late 1996, Pathmark introduced Chef's Creations To Go, fresh, prepackaged meals for takeout, offering choice entrees and side dishes in microwavable containers.

This Pathmark was expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs, and within the store, which would include a pharmacy and a Chase bank branch.

[48] Pathmark was planning its biggest Bronx store in 1998: a 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) unit on 10 acres (40,000 m2) in the blighted area east of Crotona Park.

[49] In fiscal year 1997 (ending February 1, 1997), the parent company had a net loss of $20 million on sales of $3.71 billion.

In October 1997, Pathmark announced that C&S Wholesale Grocers of Brattleboro, Vermont would take over its Woodbridge, New Jersey distribution facilities and become the chain's supplier for almost all groceries and perishables.

[50] In March 1999, Royal Ahold, a Dutch supermarket company which operated Edwards stores in the New York area, agreed to a $1.75 billion deal to acquire Pathmark.

[53] In September 1999, the company started selling prepackaged veal, lamb and pork products instead of fresh cut meat.

[78]In August 2012, an employee of the Old Bridge, New Jersey Pathmark opened fire on his coworkers with an assault rifle while working an overnight shift.

[83][84] By November 25, 2015, all Pathmark stores were either closed or sold to other chains such as Acme Markets, Stop & Shop, Key Food, ShopRite, and other competitors.