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

Assets in Morgan Stanley’s MS 5.19%increase; green up pointing triangle wealth business increased across the board for both wealthy and mom-and-pop investors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Both newcomers and old timers love its sense of community; they get to know their neighbors, and frequent mom-and-pop shops that have been in the area for decades.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mom-and-pop operators are giving way to founders with big-money investors and deck-wielding creative directors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I identify as pocho and there wasn’t a home for us. It was all either the mom-and-pop shops, or places that were way too modern,” Acosta said during a quiet lull one weekday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For those in this mom-and-pop economy, which includes older workers pushed into early retirement or others who have been boxed out of the traditional labor market, convenience stores offer the most accessible form of entrepreneurship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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