Department Stores

Norby’s Corporate Office

Norby’s Department Stores was founded in 1906 by Loren Norby in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The company operated a chain of 4 department stores over the years, however, the other 3 stores, owned by Loren’s brothers, were sold. The original Norby’s continues to be owned and operated by the 4th generation of Norby’s, with Michael Norby current CEO.

Michael Norby believes that their store remains successful because of a personal touch. He and/or his co-owner sisters personally attend trade shows and international market shows, so they can choose the best merchandise for their stores. They also know their customers wants and needs since they live in the neighborhood, unlike the CEO’s of many big chain retail stores.

The company opened their eCommerce website in 1999 and believes that online sales are the future. The store celebrated its 110th year in operation in March of 2016.

Norby’s closed it’s last store and online business in June 2018.

Norby's

The company opened their eCommerce website in 1999 and believes that online sales are the future. The store celebrated its 110th year in operation in March of 2016.

History

Norby’s closed it’s last store and online business in June 2018.

At Home Corporate Office

Founded in 1979 in Schertz, Texas, the original name of the company was Garden Ridge Pottery. This was later changed to Garden Ridge. The company operates a chain of big box type furniture and home decor stores which offer rugs, lamps, chairs, patio furniture, housewares, textiles, wall art, and holiday decor.

After filing for bankruptcy in 2014, the company was acquired by AEA Investors in 2011.

In 2014, the company decided on a major overhaul and changed not only the orange color theme of Garden Ridge to grey but renamed all locations to At Home. There are currently 150 locations in 34 states, as well as a large eCommerce site, as of September 2018.

The company has made a substantial investment in inventory that appears to be paying off, with profits soaring into the double-digit range in 2018.

At Home appears to have big plans for California, opening their 200th store in San Diego, California, in July 2019, with plans to open 600 more across the nation in the next two years, with at least 80 more locations scheduled for California alone.

At Home went public on the NASDAQ in early 2016 under the ticker symbol: HOME.

Headquarters for the company remain in Plano, Texas.

At Home

After filing for bankruptcy in 2014, the company was acquired by AEA Investors in 2011.

History

The company has made a substantial investment in inventory that appears to be paying off, with profits soaring into the double-digit range in 2018.

At Home went public on the NASDAQ in early 2016 under the ticker symbol: HOME.

Headquarters for the company remain in Plano, Texas.

Marshalls Corporate Office

Founded in 1956 by Alfred Marshall, who envisioned a discount brand name clothing store. Marshall, along with several other investors, opened Marshalls and Associates in Beverly, Massachusetts. This store was unique in its day as not only were shoppers able to find deeply discounted brand name clothing, but it was one of the first “find it yourself ” stores, where sales clerks did not offer one on one service.

The company was very successful and by 1966, had grown to become the leading discount retail chain in the US. By purchasing manufacturers over-runs, closeouts, or out of season merchandise, the company can offer discounts of 20 to 60 percent.

Today, Marshalls is a subsidiary of TJX Companies. The company currently has 975 locations throughout the US and 38 locations in Canada, with 6 of these stores being opened in 2015.

Marshalls

Today, Marshalls is a subsidiary of TJX Companies. The company currently has 975 locations throughout the US and 38 locations in Canada, with 6 of these stores being opened in 2015.

History

Kirkland’s Corporate Office

Kirkland’s was founded by Carl Kirkland in 1966. Kirkland began selling inexpensive home items door to door before opening his own store. Today, the company has more than 340 stores in 35 states, alone with an eCommerce website.

The company is a chain of home decor and home furnishing stores, offering items such as end tables, lamps, rugs, throw pillows, ottoman’s, and wall decor. In addition, the company sells holiday decor items, such as Christmas trees, Easter baskets, and Halloween decorations.

Kirkland’s went public on the NASDAQ in 2002 and can be found under the ticker symbol: KIRK.

The company is different from other home decor stores as it sets up displays and entire rooms with items available for sale, rather than offering a boxed item on a shelf. Current headquarters are in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Kirkland's

Kirkland’s went public on the NASDAQ in 2002 and can be found under the ticker symbol: KIRK.

History

Boscov’s Corporate Office

Boscov’s department store was founded by Solomon Boscov in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1911. A Jewish immigrant, Boscov began selling items door to door. Soon, he was able to open his own store in downtown Reading. The original name of the company was Economy Shoe Store and Dry Goods Annex. By 1968, the company had 4 stores and had annual revenue of $50 million.

Today, Boscov’s remains one of the last, family owned department stores with sales of more than $1 billion. The company has 44 stores in 7 states, with the largest store in New York. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2008, the company reemerged in 2009 and began to re-open locations that had been closed due to the bankruptcy.

The company continues to expand, with plans to open a location in Sangertown Square, in Hartford, New York, in the former Sears building, in late 2016. A store opened in 2015 in a former J.C. Penny location in Connecticut, marked the company’s first New England location.

Boscov's