A Lens into Retail & Commercial Real Estate Past (Present & Future)
Restaurant
Founded in late 1991 with celebrity backers like Sly Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Plaanet Hollywood is a themed restaurant that built on Hollywood and celebrities. Aggressive expansion took place throughout the 90’s, including adding a sports themed restaurant, Official All Star Cafe. Running fast and
Restaurant
Founded in 1991 by the musician, Kenny Rogers and former KFC CEO John Y. Brown Jr., this wood-fired rotisserie chicken chain's first location was in Coral Springs, FL. The chain grew to 350+ restaurants internationally and then faced a lawsuit in 1992 from Clucker's over
Restaurant
Founded by Howard Johnson's (aka Ho-Jo's) in 1969 in Massachusetts, Ground Round is (not was as you shall see) a casual dining chain that was created as a "support" concept to offset the poorly performing Ho-Jo's chain. The intent was
Restaurant
Founded in 1985 in Lubbock, Texas Don Pablo's was a chain of Tex-Mex restaurants. In 1995, with 51 restaurants open, DF&R Restaurants Inc. (company that owned the chain) sold Don Pablo's to Georgia-based Apple South who, at the time, was one of
Restaurant
Founded in 1966 in Dallas, Texas by the one and only Norman Brinker, a legend in the restaurant industry. "The chain, with its dimly lit Tudor-style decorated dining rooms, billed itself as offering an upscale steak experience at lower prices. It was seen as a model for the
Retailer
Founded by Steve Mandell in 1986 in New Jersey, Party City was the largest seller of party goods (and balloons) in the United States. His first year in business was very successful with plans made to grow, to franchise as well as the decision to focus on Halloween with 25%
Retailer
Founded by Sandy and Michael Bloomberg in 1972 in Boston, Tweeter was a consumer electronics retailer. At its peak, the retailer had over 100 stores that spanned 18 states and operated under multiple (acquired) brands in addition to Tweeter: HiFi Buys, Showcase Home Entertainment and Sound Advice. Tweeter grew mostly
Retailer
Originally names William File & Sons Company, the retailer was founded in 1881 by its namesake. Filene's Basement, its off price sister, was founded shortly after in 1908 as a means to dispose of the inventory that was not moving in the department store (upstairs). Together with Abraham
Retailer
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.
Retailer
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.
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
Retailer
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