Morris "Moe" Miller
Growing a multimillion dollar supermarket empire out of $550, was only one of Morris “Moe” Miller’s many accomplishments. Miller’s first job was selling the Denver Post on downtown streets at the age of 8, one year later he went to work as a stock-boy and clerk in his father’s grocery store at 943 Walnut Street. Although Miller stopped his formal education at a young age, the real life experience taught him enough to know that he wanted to open his own business.
In 1919, Moe had saved $550 from his $15 weekly salary and opened his first store at the Central Public Market at 1448 Champa Street. 19 years later the first Miller “Supers” were opened at West 8th Avenue and Federal Boulevard, 500 South Broadway and East 24th Avenue and York Street. In 1957, Miller sold his 28 supermarkets to the National Tea Co. for nearly $7 million. Miller never saw himself as a chain store tycoon, but as a clerk who never forget where he came from.
Not only did Miller excel in the supermarket business, he also took time to help the community. He was one of the original founders of the Rose Medial Center, known as General Rose Memorial Hospital at the time. He received numerous awards in recognition of his board service and direction.
Miller was also very active in the Jewish community in Denver. He belonged to BMH Congregation, Temple Emanuel and received a number of awards for his devoted service towards his fellowman from the Allied Jewish Community Council of Denver, known as the Allied Jewish Federation of Denver today. In 1959, The Ben Gurion award was presented to Moe during the United Jewish Appeal Study Mission.
In 1920, Miller married Miss Dora Sunshine. Surviving are his son Paul S. Miller, and his daughter Shirley Epcar, both of whom still live in Denver. Their second daughter, Duvette Miller-Eller, was killed in an automobile accident. Moe passed away on November 23, 1962. He is not remembered for his business wisdom and successes, but on his simplicity, his empathy, his humanity and the ways he served as a brother and benefactor for his employees, neighbors and friends.
In 1919, Moe had saved $550 from his $15 weekly salary and opened his first store at the Central Public Market at 1448 Champa Street. 19 years later the first Miller “Supers” were opened at West 8th Avenue and Federal Boulevard, 500 South Broadway and East 24th Avenue and York Street. In 1957, Miller sold his 28 supermarkets to the National Tea Co. for nearly $7 million. Miller never saw himself as a chain store tycoon, but as a clerk who never forget where he came from.
Not only did Miller excel in the supermarket business, he also took time to help the community. He was one of the original founders of the Rose Medial Center, known as General Rose Memorial Hospital at the time. He received numerous awards in recognition of his board service and direction.
Miller was also very active in the Jewish community in Denver. He belonged to BMH Congregation, Temple Emanuel and received a number of awards for his devoted service towards his fellowman from the Allied Jewish Community Council of Denver, known as the Allied Jewish Federation of Denver today. In 1959, The Ben Gurion award was presented to Moe during the United Jewish Appeal Study Mission.
In 1920, Miller married Miss Dora Sunshine. Surviving are his son Paul S. Miller, and his daughter Shirley Epcar, both of whom still live in Denver. Their second daughter, Duvette Miller-Eller, was killed in an automobile accident. Moe passed away on November 23, 1962. He is not remembered for his business wisdom and successes, but on his simplicity, his empathy, his humanity and the ways he served as a brother and benefactor for his employees, neighbors and friends.
