Rainbow Foods Founder Dies

Sidney Applebaum, a long-time grocer in Minnesota, died Aug. 6 at age 92. Applebaum grew up in his father’s corner grocery in St. Paul before operating Applebaum’s Food Markets with his brothers and brothers-in-law. The company grew to more than 30 stores in Minnesota before they sold it.

Applebaum went on to co-found Rainbow Foods in 1983. He served as CEO of the company until 1996, and was named Grocer of the Century by the Minnesota Grocers Association in 1997. After retiring from Rainbow Foods, he focused on his chain of liquor stores, Big Top Liquors and Sid’s Discount Liquors, that he had opened with his children in 1978.

Applebaum served on a number of boards, including United Hospital, University of Minnesota Children’s Cancer Research Fund, The Highland Bank, Twin Cities U.S. Olympic Festival and Oak Ridge Country Club, as well as being a member of St. Paul Rotary and the Shriners.