AMES DEPARTMENT STORES

Ames began in 1958 when two Connecticut brothers, Milton and Irving Gilman, opened their first store in the Ames Worsted Textile Co. mill in Southbridge, Mass... Ames' original business strategy was radical: bring discounting to the underserved smaller towns and rural areas of the Northeast. Ames' broad product mix, discount pricing and convenient shopping hours were enormously popular with customers... Ames' success spurred an aggressive growth period from 1978-1988. Combining a new store building program with acquisitions of other discount chains such as Neisner Brothers, Kings and G.C. Murphy, Ames grew to 450 stores by 1985.

Also known as: Ames, Ames Department Stores, Inc., Ames Fan Club