mom-and-pop

[ mom-uhn-pop ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a small retail business, usually owned and operated by members of a family:

   a mom-and-pop grocery.

2. of or indicating something, as an enterprise, investment, or project, that is independent, small in scope, and modestly financed.

noun

plural mom-and-pops.

1. a small-scale, owner-operated business.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mom-and-pop¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

In a recent blog post published when the city of Burbank decided to move forward with such an ordinance, the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles called mandatory seismic retrofits “brutally expensive” and said they could force mom-and-pop owners to sell their properties.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, the park’s mom-and-pop charms have struggled to keep up with the slick thrills offered by today’s corporate megaparks.

From Los Angeles Times

Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles, said the prospect that vacancy control could return is a major threat for the small mom-and-pop landlords he represents.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m interested in any single-screen or just independently owned mom-and-pop theaters,” Baker enthuses as he looks around the empty 800-seat venue, which in keeping with the spooky season, would be featuring upcoming revival screenings of “The Silence of the Lambs” and “The Lost Boys.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Their mall was emptied out. Their downtown was pretty sparse. And if you go there now, it’s bars, restaurants, mom-and-pop shops.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• corporation
• factory
• firm
• house
• institution
• market
• organization
• partnership
• shop
• store
• venture