A Lens into Retail & Commercial Real Estate Past (Present & Future)
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1971 as Bed ‘n Bath by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein, the retailer grew to 18 stores over the next 14 years. Adopting the superstore concept in 1985 to stay competitive (mainly with Linens ‘n Things) the company changed its name to Bed Bath & Beyond in 1987.
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1974 by Lloyd Ross with limited-time-only warehouse sales, Tuesday Morning specialized in discounted merchandise for the home. In 1979, Tuesday Morning moved from an LTO retailer to a pop-up retail location, holding seasonal events and finally moved to full-time retail operations that same year. After going public in
Retailer
"In 1962, Charles D. Tandy and Luther Henderson of the Tandy Corporation provided a loan to the California-based Cost Plus Imports chain in exchange for franchise rights. Their first franchised location opened that year in San Mateo. By 1966, Tandy's and Henderson's franchises had grown
Nostalgic Retail Series
This seemed appropriate for the day. Christmas Tree Shops was founded in 1970 by Charles Bilezkian and his wife, Doreen, in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts. Expanding to other northeastern states in the early 1990s, the chain was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond in 2003. This allowed the
Nostalgic Retail Series
Montgomery Ward was started by Aaron Montgomery in 1872 as a mail-order business selling to farmers in rural areas near Chicago. Along came competition ni 1886 with the introduction of the first Sears' general catalog. The first retail stores opened in 1926 as the company expanded beyond mail-order only,
Retailer
Founded in 1908 by Sam Stein, the first Stein Mart store was opened in Greenville, Mississippi. Sam's death in 1932 led to his son, Jake Stein, assuming the leadership position and converted the core offerings from general merchandise to discounted clothing. "Under Jay Stein's leadership,
Nostalgic Retail Series
Fotomat was a retail chain of drive-thru kiosks that handled photo development and sold a limited supply of flim and photo accessories. Founded by Preston Fleet, the first location opened in Point Loma, California in the early 1960's. At its peak, over 4,000 Fotomats filled shopping center
Nostalgic Retail Series
KB Toys was founded in 1922 as Kaufman Brothers, a wholesale candy store.Kaufman Brothers opened a wholesale toy store in 1946. The toy business was an acquisition from a candy client who could not pay its outstanding debts. The retailer ended its candy wholesale business two years later to
Nostalgic Retail Series
Now an online only retailer, hhgregg was founded in Indianapolis in 1955 by Henry Harold (the "hh") and Fansy Gregg (you get the drift). In 2009, despite pressures on margins on electronic and high-tech devices, hhgregg plotted aggressive expansion (this was also the flat screen tv boom era)
Retailer
I have personal interest in this one as I grew up with my family in the catalog showroom business in Georgia and the Carolinas, founded by my grandfather, Harold Ellman. The business was sold to Service Merchandise during my senior year in high school. (Ellman's) Service Merchandise'
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1977 by Richard Thalheimer, the retailer started as a watch catalog business. Sharper Image expanded to close to 200 stores in 38 states at its peak. Litigation and turmoil with their Ionic Breeze air purifiers started the descent (and reputation) with the stock price reaching "penny stock&
Retailer
Sports Authority opened its first store in late 1987 in Southern Florida. In 1990 Kmart (yes...the Kmart) acquired the company and they converted their two Sports Giant stores to Sports Authority locations. In 1995, having grown to over 135 stores, Kmart spun off the sporting goods chain. In 2003,