Retail

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.

Marge’s Specialities Corporate Office

Marge’s Specialties was founded in 1976 in Orlando, Florida. The company states that it is the largest, year round Christmas and gift store in Florida. In addition to Christmas items, the company sells furniture designed by more than 25 local companies, household goods, and more from its 50,000 square foot warehouse in Florida.

The company reserves at least 20,000 square feet of their building for Christmas at all times. The 14 employees are skilled at personal decorating ideas and the company is well known for making and delivering fully decorated Christmas trees to homes and businesses.

Although Christmas is a large part of the business, current owner and CEO Eric Schultz states that the majority of their business comes from the sale of furniture, with features names such as Lexington and Huntington House. Although the company states they currently have no plans to add a second store, Schultz states that customers have requested one and the idea is not off the table.

Marge's Specialities

History

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.

West Elm Corporate Office

West Elm was founded in 2002 by the Williams-Sonoma company. The company sells furniture, rugs, bedding, wall decor, and other household items. A catalog was released in 2003, followed by an actual retail location in Brooklyn, New York, later that year. The company acts as a subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma.

While some items can be purchased in-store, larger items, such as sofas or mattress sets, are for visual purposes only and must be purchased online. The company has a large variety of items for sale on its eCommerce site. In addition to the US and Puerto Rico, the company has retail locations in Mexico, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, and England.

In September 2018, one local Canadian artist sued West Elm claiming that the company was stealing her artwork (which was sold in West Elm stores) for their sheet patterns.

The company recently teamed up with Casper, a start-up mattress company, in 2016. Their latest retail location opened in Providence, Rhode Island, in August of 2016. West Elm offers products that are “Fair Trade Certified”, which means items were made under good working conditions, with sustainable practices, by persons who were paid a living wage.

In September 2020, West Elm and designer Eileen Fisher launched a sustainable home design using recycled jeans as material.

West Elm Kids announced in January 2023 that it had partnered with Misha and Puff.

West Elm maintains a corporate office in Brooklyn, New York.

West Elm

History

In September 2018, one local Canadian artist sued West Elm claiming that the company was stealing her artwork (which was sold in West Elm stores) for their sheet patterns.

In September 2020, West Elm and designer Eileen Fisher launched a sustainable home design using recycled jeans as material.

West Elm Kids announced in January 2023 that it had partnered with Misha and Puff.

West Elm maintains a corporate office in Brooklyn, New York.

Colony Brands Inc. Corporate Office

Colony Brands, originally called Swiss Colony, was founded in 1926 in Monroe, Wisconsin. Ray Kubly thought that the large Swiss population there would be interested in buying cheese imported from their country.The company’s first year saw only 50 orders, but soon grew quickly. Later it added other food items to the mail order catalog, including sausage, baked goods, and candy. In 1982, the company began offering non-food items such as bedding, home furnishings, electronics, games, and jewelry.

Today, Colony Brands operates catalog and retail stores under several names including Montgomery Wards, Ginny’s, One Step Ahead, Through the Country Door, Swiss Colony, Midnight Velvet, and the Wisconsin Cheeseman.

In December 2020, the company acquired Care Supply for an undisclosed sum.

The company employs more than 6,000 people, about 50 percent of these during the busy winter holiday season. The company officially changed its name to Colony Brands, Inc., in 2010.

Colony Brands, Inc.

History

In December 2020, the company acquired Care Supply for an undisclosed sum.

The company employs more than 6,000 people, about 50 percent of these during the busy winter holiday season. The company officially changed its name to Colony Brands, Inc., in 2010.