A Lens into Retail & Commercial Real Estate Past (Present & Future)
Retailer
Started by Mervin G. Morris in 1949 in San Lorenzo, California, the company grew to almost 200 stores, mostly in the West. The mid-scale department store grew to the US’s 83rd largest retailer in 2005. As it expanded outside of California, Mervyn’s ran into trouble. Was it
Retailer
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, started as a mail order business around 1859. By 1920, there were 4,500 stores; by 1930, 15,000. In 1936, in Braddock, Pa., A&P opened a “supermarket.” By the 1950s, A&P was,
Retailer
Going old school here. Founded in 1879, Woolworth’s sold general merchandise and was called “five and dime” because everything sold for 10 cents or less (the precursor to dollar stores and Five Below). By 1929, there were 2,250 stores. “Despite its growing to be one of the largest
Retailer
Founded by David Cook in 1985 as Blockbuster Video in Dallas, Texas, the retailer initially specialized in video rentals. In 1987 the acquisition of most of the stores took place by Wayne Huizenga, who put the company into rapid expansion mode. Viacom acquired the retailer in 1994 for $8.4B.
Retailer
Founded in Michigan in 1971, Borders heyday was in the early 2000s. In 1992, Borders was acquired by Kmart (who already owned Waldenbooks) and grew to close to 1,250 stores by 2003. But Amazon and electronic book readers changed the game. The company shuttered all locations and filed for
Retailer
In early 1949 Samuel Wurtzel was on vacation in Richmond, Virginia when, while at a local barber shop, he was witness to the start of television in the South. Imagining the opportunities, in late 1949, he moved his family to Richmond and opened the first Wards Company retail store. Later,