Consumer Goods

Belk Corporate Office

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In April of 2015, Belk was sold to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners. Since then, it has laid off more than 200 persons from the corporate office and slashed jobs across the board at all 300 store locations.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Belk

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

History

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Midas Corporate Office

Midas began in 1956 as the Muffler Installation Dealers Associated Serivce or MIDAS for short. The company was founded by Nate Sherman with the first location in Macon, Georgia.

By 1966, there were 426 Midas locations.

In 1972, Midas International was purchased by IC Industries. The company was renamed to the Whitman Corporation.

In 1979, in addition to mufflers, the company begins to offer brake services.

By 1980, there were 1350 Midas locations worldwide.

In 1986, the 2000th location was opened.

In 1998, Whitman spun Midas off as its own company and is listed on the NYSE.

In 2001, the company purchases 98 franchise locations in an attempt to improve profits.

In 2012, the company is purchased by the TBC Corporation and taken private.

Today, there are over 2500 Midas locations worldwide.

Midas

Midas began in 1956 as the Muffler Installation Dealers Associated Serivce or MIDAS for short. The company was founded by Nate Sherman with the first location in Macon, Georgia.

By 1966, there were 426 Midas locations.

In 1972, Midas International was purchased by IC Industries. The company was renamed to the Whitman Corporation.

History

In 1979, in addition to mufflers, the company begins to offer brake services.

By 1980, there were 1350 Midas locations worldwide.

In 1986, the 2000th location was opened.

In 1998, Whitman spun Midas off as its own company and is listed on the NYSE.

In 2001, the company purchases 98 franchise locations in an attempt to improve profits.

In 2012, the company is purchased by the TBC Corporation and taken private.

Today, there are over 2500 Midas locations worldwide.

Rue 21 Corporate Office

Rue 21 was originally known as Pennsylvania Fashions Inc. Pennsylvania Fashions Inc filed for bankruptcy in 2002. The 250 store chain was purchased by Saunders Karp & Megrue and renamed to Rue 21.

In 2009, the company opened its 500th location and went public.

In 2011, the company announced it would double the size of its distribution center in Weirton, West Virginia.

By 2012, there were 800 stores.

In 2013, the 900th store was opened.

Today, there are 1,213 Rue 21 stores in 48 US states. The company is a discount retailer of young adult clothing and accessories.

Rue 21

Rue 21 was originally known as Pennsylvania Fashions Inc. Pennsylvania Fashions Inc filed for bankruptcy in 2002. The 250 store chain was purchased by Saunders Karp & Megrue and renamed to Rue 21.

In 2009, the company opened its 500th location and went public.

In 2011, the company announced it would double the size of its distribution center in Weirton, West Virginia.

History

By 2012, there were 800 stores.

In 2013, the 900th store was opened.

Today, there are 1,213 Rue 21 stores in 48 US states. The company is a discount retailer of young adult clothing and accessories.

Save A Lot Corporate Office

Save-A-Lot began in 1977 with single store in Cahokia, Illinois. The chain was founded by Bill Moran who used the idea of limited selection to compete against the mega chains.

By 1980, there were 52 stores.

In 1987, the company was purchased by Wetterau Inc.

In 1993, Wetterau and Save-A-Lot were acquired by Supervalu Inc.

In 2002, the company acquired the Deal$ chain. In 2006, Deal$ was sold to Dollar Tree.

In 2006, founder Bill Moran retires.

By 2009, there were 1200 locations.

Today, Save-A-Lot is a wholly owned subsidiary of SuperValu. There are more than 1300 stores nationwide.

Save-A-Lot

Save-A-Lot began in 1977 with single store in Cahokia, Illinois. The chain was founded by Bill Moran who used the idea of limited selection to compete against the mega chains.

By 1980, there were 52 stores.

In 1987, the company was purchased by Wetterau Inc.

History

In 1993, Wetterau and Save-A-Lot were acquired by Supervalu Inc.

In 2002, the company acquired the Deal$ chain. In 2006, Deal$ was sold to Dollar Tree.

In 2006, founder Bill Moran retires.

By 2009, there were 1200 locations.

Today, Save-A-Lot is a wholly owned subsidiary of SuperValu. There are more than 1300 stores nationwide.

Garden Ridge Corporate Office

Garden Ridge was founded by Eric White in 1979 as Garden Ridge Pottery.

By 1988, there were 3 stores and White sold the company to a group of investors so he could retire.

In 1990, after almost bankrupting the chain, the investors sold the company to a new group which included Armand Shapiro and Jack Lewis.

The pair revamped the chain and opened a new prototype stores in Houston in 1992. The prototype was a success and two additional stores were opened in ’93 and ’94.

In 1995, the company went public. The company opened 4 stores, including its first outside Texas in Louisville, KY.

In 1998, Lewis resigns as President and COO.

By 2004, the company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They emerge in 2005.

In 2011, the chain is acquired by AEA Investors and taken private.

Today, Garden Ridge operates 63 stores in 19 states.

Garden Ridge

Garden Ridge was founded by Eric White in 1979 as Garden Ridge Pottery.

By 1988, there were 3 stores and White sold the company to a group of investors so he could retire.

In 1990, after almost bankrupting the chain, the investors sold the company to a new group which included Armand Shapiro and Jack Lewis.

History

The pair revamped the chain and opened a new prototype stores in Houston in 1992. The prototype was a success and two additional stores were opened in ’93 and ’94.

In 1995, the company went public. The company opened 4 stores, including its first outside Texas in Louisville, KY.

In 1998, Lewis resigns as President and COO.

By 2004, the company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They emerge in 2005.

In 2011, the chain is acquired by AEA Investors and taken private.

Today, Garden Ridge operates 63 stores in 19 states.