1020 Benvenue Rd., Rocky Mount,
252.977.2421
3005 Tarboro St., Wilson
252.291.7710
4299 Winterville Parkway, Winterville
252.321.1815
Regionally owned and operated, Fred’s is a small business owner’s alternative to the Big Box Sam’s Club mess. Like Big Bad Sam, they sell to anyone but no membership required. Cases of little Cokes & Dr. Peppers!
Some people say that’s Barney holding in their logo, not Fred, but the black hair seems a dead giveaway.
photo of Fred’s dad, Bill Adams, who founded Adams Wholesale Supply in Rocky Mount, from Fred’s webpage
Fred’s Club’s Story
In 1940, Arnold L. “Bill” Adams founded the Arnold L. Adams Wholesale Company in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Purchasing merchandise from only a handful of wholesalers, Mr. Adams took his orders via bicycle and stored it in garages and empty apartments until making the deliveries himself.
Bill’s youngest son, Fred, took over Adams Wholesale Company from his father in 1984. With a growing wholesale business, Fred saw an opportunity to pass along Rock Bottom Prices to all and opened a cash and carry location in Rocky Mount in 1992 now known as Fred’s Food Club. A second Club location opened in Wilson in 1997 with a third following in 2002 in Winterville.
After more than 30 years of successful ownership, Fred sold the business to a local individual in 2016. In partnership with the company’s existing management team, Adams Wholesale Company is positioned for continual growth.
Today, Adams Wholesale Company is a full line wholesaler stocking candy, tobacco, cigarettes, paper goods, janitorial products, health and beauty aids, grocery, automotive, food service, and frozen and refrigerated items. We offer an inventory of over 3,000 items, supplied by over 250 vendors, in our 67,000 sq. ft. Rocky Mount-located distribution center.
Locally owned and operated for more than 75 years, we continue to provide meaningful and fulfilling careers for our associates and contribute to the greater good of the communities within which we serve and live.
–from the Fred’s Club webpage history
