Remember "Alphy", the Alpha Beta grocery store chain mascot? They were a California chain.   Sometimes dressed like a cowboy and later as a more "mature" alphy in a blue suit. In 1979, Skaggs Drug (an operation founded by the original Safeway founding family) purchased American Stores and assumed the American Stores name. Combined food and drug stores in Alpha Beta territory were re-branded Skaggs Alpha Beta during the next few years. The demise of the Alpha Beta name began with the 1988 merger of American Stores with Lucky Stores. Significant antitrust wrangling ensued. Most Northern California units took the Lucky name. American ultimately sold many of the Alpha Beta stores to Yucaipa/Ralphs/Food4Less, but rebranded some under the Lucky name. Stores in other areas went to Certified Grocers, Albertson's, and other chains.