Corporate Office HQ

Garden Ridge Corporate Office

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.

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 … [Continue reading] about Garden Ridge Corporate Office

Direct Buy Corporate Office

Direct Buy

DirectBuy was founded in 1971 by James L. Gagan in Merrillville, Indiana. The club allows consumers to buy direct from the manufacturers at wholesale prices. Joining the club requires a substantial membership fee for a 2-3 year commitment.

In 1996, the first franchise opened in Canada.

In 2004, the company incorporated as DirectBuy, a subsidiary of United Consumers Club.

History

In 2007, the company was acquired by Trivest and Allied Capital Corporation.

In 2011, the company was sued by the West Virginia Attorney General for deceptive business practices and high pressure sales. The company had been telling people if you did not join on your first visit, you would be banned for life. A threat that was not true.

Today, Direct Buy has over 100 locations in the US and Canada.

US Bank Corporate Office

US Bank

US Bank can trace its beginnings back to 1891 as the United States National Bank of Portland. U.S. Bancorp operates under the second-oldest continuous national charter, originally Charter #24, granted in 1863 following the passage of the National Bank Act. It became the United States National Bank of Oregon in 1964.

In 1997, the company merged with First Bank System to become U.S. Bancorp.

History

In 1999, the company was acquired by Firstar who chose to keep the U.S. Bancorp name. The company headquarters were moved to Minneapolis, MN.

In 2008, the company received $6.5 billion in US government bailout money. It repaid the loan in mid-2009 and was among the first banks to do so.

In 2009, the company acquired Fiduciary Management’s mutual fund division, First Citizens Bank’s bond division, BB&T Corp, and 9 subsidiary banks from FBOP.

The company began using a mobile phone app in 2010 and was one of the first banks to allow “deposit by photo” in 2012.

In 2011, the company acquired First Community Bank of New Mexico.

In 2012, the company acquired BankEast.

In October 2020, the company decided to close more than 7 Milwaukee branches and a full 20 percent of all Colorado branches due to a drop in profits during the 3rd quarter.

While bank stock prices in general have dropped significantly during 2020 due to the coronavirus, financial experts insist that these stocks are worth snatching up and holding on to.

Today, US Bank is the 5th largest bank in the US with more than 32,000 branches and almost 5,000 ATM’s.

US Bank can trace its beginnings back to 1891 as the United States National Bank of Portland. U.S. Bancorp operates under the second-oldest continuous national charter, originally Charter #24, granted in 1863 following the passage of the National … [Continue reading] about US Bank Corporate Office

Ross Corporate Office

Ross Stores

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California.

By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores.

In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price retail stores called Ross Dress For Less.

History

By 1985, there were 107 Ross Dress For Less stores and the company goes public.

In 1992, the company introduces its Home Accents stores.

In 1994, the company adds a Bed and Bath department to its stores.

In 2004, dd’s Discounts in launched in California.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in 29 US states. They are the third largest off-price retailer in the US market.

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California. By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores. In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price … [Continue reading] about Ross Corporate Office

Goodyear Corporate Office

Goodyear

Goodyear was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio where the headquarters remain today. The company is named after Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanized rubber. They originally produced carriage and bicycle tires.

In 1901, the company provided Ford with racing tires. By 1908, all Model T’s feature Goodyear tires.

In 1925, the first Goodyear blimp is launched.

History

By 1926, Goodyear is the largest rubber company in the world.

In 1927, the company goes public.

In 1944, the company opens a subsidiary called Goodyear-Oxo in Mexico.

In 1986, the company completed a huge buyback on common stock after a hostile takeover attempt was launched by James Goldsmith.

Today, Goodyear is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world. Besides automobiles, they also manufacture tires for trucks (light & commercial), race cars, airplanes and farm equipment.