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

Ballooning veterinary costs are not necessarily your mom and pop vet’s fault.

From Los Angeles Times

The governor has been concerned about the private right of action and what it could mean for Vermont small businesses and “mom and pop” shops, his spokesperson said.

From Seattle Times

“Chasing mom and pop landlords like myself — small investors like myself — out of California is not going to solve the high price of rent; it actually is going to make it worse,” said Blackshear, who once had to replace the wood flooring in a rental due to a tenant with a cat.

From Seattle Times

Disney has been trying to appeal to large institutional shareholders, such as Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street, in addition to its legion of mom and pop investors, who adore all things Disney.

From Los Angeles Times

The harms of graffiti are most often seen with small mom and pop enterprises navigating high-crime neighborhoods, losing foot traffic after having their businesses vandalized.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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