The Opening of Iran’s 200th City and Village Store: A Symbol of Modernization and the Legacy of Amir Abbas Hoveida
On May 4, 1975, a landmark event unfolded in the heart of Tehran at the intersection of Behboudi and Taj-Starkhan Street. In a modest yet symbolically potent ceremony, Iran inaugurated its 200th city and village store in the presence of then-Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveida. Though it may have seemed like a routine expansion of retail infrastructure, the event represented something far more significant—a concerted effort by the Pahlavi state to engineer a socio-economic transformation that extended to the most fundamental levels of everyday life. This was a moment that encapsulated the ambitions of a government determined to modernize the country’s supply chains, reduce the gap between the urban and rural populations, and improve access to essential commodities for all strata of society.
The opening of this store was part of a broader initiative aimed at improving the distribution of food and basic goods across the country. Central to this plan was the introduction of chain stores and protein stalls, which offered red and white meat in affordable, pre-portioned packages. These measures were especially targeted at lower-income households, who often struggled with both price and availability of staple food products. The vision behind the program was both economic and social: to reduce the burden of inflation, eliminate middlemen who profited from shortages, and ensure a fairer distribution system.