Retail

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.

Massage Envy Corporate Office

Massage Envy was founded in 2002 by John Leonesio and Shawn Haycock in Scottsdale, Arizona. Leonesio had owned and sold a chain of health clubs in Arizona and was looking for a new venture.

In 2003, the chain began selling franchises and expanded rapidly.

In 2008 the company was acquired by Veria, a Texas-based multimedia company.

By 2010, there were 624 locations in 42 states and Veria sold the chain to Sentinel Capital Partners.

In late 2017, the company was accused of covering up more than 180 sexual assaults at their locations, prompting top execs to make changes to their screening and reporting programs. In December 2017, the CEO stated that he was committed to keeping patrons safe and that extensive changes were being made.

Today, there are over 1200 Massage Envy locations in all 50 US states.

Massage Envy

Massage Envy was founded in 2002 by John Leonesio and Shawn Haycock in Scottsdale, Arizona. Leonesio had owned and sold a chain of health clubs in Arizona and was looking for a new venture.

In 2003, the chain began selling franchises and expanded rapidly.

History

In 2008 the company was acquired by Veria, a Texas-based multimedia company.

By 2010, there were 624 locations in 42 states and Veria sold the chain to Sentinel Capital Partners.

Today, there are over 1200 Massage Envy locations in all 50 US states.

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.

Direct Buy Corporate Office

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.

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.

Direct Buy

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.

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