H. J. Wilson Co.
| Wilson's | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Huey John Wilson |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Fate | Acquisition by Service Merchandise |
| Successor | Service Merchandise |
| Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 80 |
Area served | Southern United States |
| Products | Jewelry General Merchandise |
| Services | Catalog Consignment |
H. J. Wilson Co., also known as Wilson's, was an American catalog showroom chain based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded in 1947 as a jewelry store, it was acquired in 1985 by Service Merchandise.
History
The store was begun by Huey John Wilson in 1947 as a jewelry vendor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ten years later, Wilson opened his first catalog showroom. By 1982, Wilson's was the third-largest catalog showroom chain in the United States.[1] At its peak, it had 80 stores in 12 states. In 1985, rival chain Service Merchandise purchased all 80 of the Wilson's stores.[2]
Wilson died on February 8, 2008 at age 80.[3]
References
- ^ Walker, Ruth (26 October 1982). "Wilson's: retailing by the (big) book". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ Kellerhalls, Merle D. (15 May 1985). "Service Merchandise buys Wilson's". The News and Courier. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ "Huey John Wilson obituary". The Advocate. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2013.