Alabama’s Centennial Retailers

By Centennial Year

2023

Bishop-Parker Furniture Co. (VIDEO)
Montgomery

Founded in 1923 by Matthew Borum Bishop and Charles Daniel Parker
Owners: The Bishop and Parker families
Award Given: 2023

2022

Shaia’s (VIDEO)
Homewood

Founded in 1922 by S.G. Shaia
Owners: J.L. and Ken Shaia
Award Given: 2022

2021

Foley Fish Co.
Foley

Founded in 2021 by John Hesse
Owner: Tracy Ward
Award Given: 2022

2020

Cowart Drug Co.
Calera

Founded in 1920 by Cecil Cowart
Owner: Kacie White
Award Given: 2020

2019

Metzger’s (VIDEO)
Mobile

Founded in 1919 by Melvin and Leonard Metzger
Owner: Ken Metzger
Award Given: 2019

2018

Pollman’s Bake Shops Inc (VIDEO)
Three Mobile locations

Founded in 1918 by Fred J. and Corrine Pollman
Owners: Fred and Rose Pollman
Award Given: 2018

Trowbridge Creamery (VIDEO)
Florence

Founded in 1918 by Paul Trowbridge
Owner: Don Trowbridge
Award Given: 2018

2017

Books-A-Million (VIDEO)
Birmingham-based with more than 250 locations, 20 in Alabama

Founded in 1917 by Clyde W. Anderson
Owners: The Anderson family
Award Given: 2017

Chris’ Hot Dogs (VIDEO)
Montgomery

Founded in 1917 by Christopher “Chris” Anastasios Katechis
Owner: Theo Katechis
Award Given: 2017

McCurry Furniture (VIDEO)
Warrior

Founded in 1917 by Andrew Jackson McCurry and C.V. Hoover
Owner: Andrew “Andy” Jackson McCurry III
Award Given: 2017

U.G. White Mercantile
Athens

Founded in 1917 by Ulysses Grant White
Owner: Derrick Young
Award Given: 2023

2016

Autry Greer & Sons Inc. (VIDEO)
Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Eight Mile, Fairhope, Grand Bay, Grove Hill, McIntosh, Millry, Mobile-based with six stores there, Prichard, Robertsdale, Theodore, Semmes, plus stores in Mississippi and Florida.

Founded in 1916 by Autry Greer
Owners: J. Barton “Bartee” Greer Jr., Jack V. Greer Sr., Jack “Jackie” V. Greer Jr. and Robert A. Greer
Award Given: 2016

Edwards Chevrolet (VIDEO)
Birmingham

Founded in 1916 by William Sterling Edwards Jr.
Owners: Leon Edwards and Lee Edwards
Award Given: 2017

Planters Hardware & Building Inc. (VIDEO)
Ashland

Founded circa 1916 by Bruner Runyan
Owner: Walt Runyan
Award Given: 2023

Swift Drug Co. (VIDEO  go to 1:29)
Selma

Founded in 1916 by George A. and William P. Swift
Owner: William P. “Buddy” Swift III
Award Given: 2016

2015

Grogan Jewelers
Florence

Founded in 1915 by Elisha A. Grogan
Owner: Lon Brown
Award Given: 2023

Ousler Sandwiches (VIDEO)
Mountain Brook

Founded in 1915 by Dana Ousler
Owners: Bill and Becky Elmore
Award Given: 2017

2012

Standard Furniture Co.

Bessemer, Birmingham, Center Point, Cullman, Fayette, Gardendale, Graysville, Hartselle, Leeds, Moulton, Pelham, Talladega

Founded in 1912 by James Felix Shevinsky
Owner: The Shevin Family
Award Given: 2012

2011

Buffalo Rock Co.
Birmingham

Founded in 1901 by Sidney W. Lee
Owner: James C. Lee III
Award Given: 2011

2009

Anders Hardware Co. Inc. (VIDEO)
Northport and Tuscaloosa

Founded in 1909 by J.H. Anders and Burwell Lewis Anders
Owner: Richard Rodger Anders
Award Given: 2019

M.L. Awbrey Inc.
Roanoke

Founded in 1909 by James Jackson Awbrey
Owner: Pat Awbrey
Award Given: 2010

2008

Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory
Enterprise

Founded in 1908 by Polk Houston Searcy
Owners: Bill and Will Searcy
Award Given: 2010

2007

The Bright Star
Bessemer

Founded in 1907 by Tom Bonduris
Owners: Jim and Nick Koikos
Award Given: 2007

2006

Standard Equipment Co. Inc.
Mobile

Founded in 1906 by Richard A. Christian
Owners: E. Burnley Davis Sr. and Robert D. Wilkins
Award Given: 2007

2005

G. May & Sons Furniture
Jasper

Founded in 1905 by Gerson May
Owner: Gerson May
Award Given: 2005

Art’s Music Shop Inc.
Montgomery, Dothan and Birmingham

Founded in 1905 by Albert and Art Freehling
Owner: Paul Freehling
Award Given: 2007

2004

Badcock Home Furniture & More
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Founded in 1904 by Henry S. Badcock
Owners: The Badcock Family
Award Given: 2005

Fairhope Pharmacy (VIDEO)
Fairhope

Founded in 1904 by Dr. Clarence Mershon
Owners: Betty Barnhill and LouAnne Barnhill Harrell
Award Given: 2017

Fincher & Ozment Jewelers
Tuscaloosa

Founded in 1904 by William H. Fincher & Eugene Truman Ozment
Owners: Tommy Ozment and Tom Ozment, Jr.
Award Given: 2004

Florala Pharmacy, Inc.
Florala, Andalusia, and Enterprise

Founded in 1904 by Steve Wynn and John McLean
Owners: Charles T. Smith
Award Given: 2004

2003

Clayton Drug Company
Clayton

Founded in 1903 by Lige Lingo and Lamar Jennings
Owner: William M. “Billy” Beasley
Award Given: 2005

Dalton Pharmacy (VIDEO)
Slocomb

Founded in 1903 by Jep Paul “J.P.” Dalton
Owner: Joe Dalton
Award Given: 2023

Dozier Hardware Company
Thomasville, Clark County, Alabama

Founded in 1903 by W.H. Andrews, Sr.
Owner: Gerald Corgill
Award Given: 2003

2002

J. C. Penney

Founded in 1902 by James Cash (J. C.) Penney
Owner: Publicly owned
Award Given: 2002

The Clay Times-Journal Inc.
Lineville and Ashland

Founded in 1902
Owner: David Proctor
Award Given: 2008

2000

Jackson Hardware Company
Brundidge

Founded in 1900 by John Hatcher Jackson, Sr.
Owner: Ronny and Judy Mobley
Award Given: 2002

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc.
Valley and Lanett

Founded in 1900 by George T. Johnson
Owner: Willis A. Johnson
Award Given: 2002

W.E. Estes & Son
Athens
(Retailer of Plumbing/Electrical/HVAC)

Founded in 1900 by W. E. Estes, Sr. and Horton Lewis
Owner: Richard (Buzz) Estes
Award Given: 2002

1999

Clearman’s Dry Goods
Vernon

Founded in 1899 by W. B. Clearman
Owner: W.B. Clearman
Award Given: 2002

Davenport and Harris Funeral Home, Inc.
Birmingham

Founded in 1899 by Charles Morgan “Boss” Harris
Owner: Wilma Harris
Award Given: 2002

1998

Baers Department Store
Calera

Founded in 1898 by Phillip Baer, Sr.
Owner: Phil Baer
Award Given: 2002

Clark Memorials of Alabama, Inc.
Decatur, Gadsden, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Selma

Founded in 1898 by Egbert Clark
Owner: Pierre Tourney, Jr.
Award Given: 2004

1997

Rosenberger’s Birmingham Trunk, Inc.
Birmingham

Founded in 1897 by J. D. Rosenberger, Sr.
Owner: Mae Rosenberger
Award Given: 2003

1996

Bon Secour Fishieries, Inc.
Bon Secour

Founded in 1896 by Frank E. Nelson
Owner: Nelson Family
Award Given: 2002

The Lamar Democrat
Vernon

Founded in 1896 by C. S. McDougal
Owner: Howard Reeves
Award Given: 2002

1995

Rosenbush Furniture Co.
Demopolis

Founded in 1895 by Julius Rosenbush
Owner: Bert J. Rosenbush, Jr.
Award Given: 2002

1993

Klein & Son
Montgomery

Founded in 1893 by Leo Klein
Owner: Bill Heilpern
Award Given: 2003

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Founded in 1893 by Richard W. Sears and Alvah C. Roebuck
Owner: Publicly owned
Award Given: 2002

The Anniston Star
Anniston
Founded in 1883 by Dr. T.W. Ayers
Owners: Consolidated Publishing Co. shareholders
Award Given: 2012

1992

Buettner Brothers Lumber Company
Cullman

Founded in 1892 by Hugo Buettner
Owner: Jimmy Barnes and Mr. John McPhillips
Award Given: 2002

Capitol’s Rosemont Gardens (VIDEO)
Montgomery

Founded in 1892 by William Burns Paterson
Owners: Lamar Thompson and Martha Moore
Award Given: 2019

The Randolph Leader
Roanoke

Founded in 1892 by Olin H. Stevenson
Owner: John W. Stevenson
Award Given: 2007

W.J. Word Lumber Company Inc.
Scottsboro and Rainsville

Founded in 1892 by W. J. Word
Owner: Bruce Yates
Award Given: 2003

1991

Golden Rule Barbecue
Irondale, Hoover, Pinson, Trussville, Helena, Calera, Arab,
Huntsville and Tuscaloosa

Founded in 1891 by the Stone and Williams Families
Owner: Michael C. Matsos
Award Given: 2002

Greenville Hardware
Greenville and Luverne

Founded in 1891 by James H. Dunklin, II
Owner: Jim Dunklin
Award Given: 2002

1990

Andrews Hardware Co., Inc.
Citronelle and Saraland

Founded in 1890’s by Carl Pick
Owners: Bruce Andrews and John N. Andrews
Award Given: 2002

The Choctaw Advocate
Butler

Founded in 1890 by Charles Edward McCall
Owners: Helen W. Cleary, William A. Davis, Ann W. Allen,
Hunter Doggette and Shirley M. Perry
Award Given: 2004

Lowe’s Pharmacy
LaFayette

Founded in 1890 by B. B. McGehee and A. Berry
Owner: Lewis Lowe
Award Given: 2004

Mickleboro’s of Montgomery, Inc.
Montgomery

Founded in 1890 by John Conner Mickleboro
Owner: Amy Michaels
Award Given: 2003

Robertson’s Garage
Cragford

Founded in 1890 by John Robertson
Owner: Larry D. Robertson
Award Given: 2005

1989

Banks and Company
Eutaw

Founded in 1889 by James O. Banks and Beckam Palmer
Owners: Mr. James O. Banks, Jr., Philip B. M. Banks and James E. Banks
Award Given: 2004

E. R. Porter Hardware Co., LLC
Dothan

Founded in 1889 by E. R. Porter
Owner: Jane Thrower
Award Given: 2002

1987

Parisian
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio,
South Carolina and Tennessee

Founded in 1887 by Bertha and Estella Sommers
Owner: Public Company
Award Given: 2004

Long-Lewis Inc.
(Wholesale hardware as well as a Ford Lincoln Mercury car and Sterling truck dealership)
Bessemer, Birmingham, Hoover, Sylacauga

Founded in 1887 by William J. Long
Owner: Vaughn Burell
Award Given: 2008

1986

Brannon’s Inc., dba Brannon’s Office City
Talladega and Sylacauga

Founded in 1886 by W.R. Brannon and W.T. Billue
Owners: Allen C. Jacobs Jr., Catherine Jacobs-Roberson,
Patricia Jacobs and Allen Jacobs III
Award Given: 2007

1985

Birmingham Barons
Birmingham

Founded in 1885
Owner: Birmingham Barons LLC
Award Given: 2013

R.W. Harris Store
Winfield

Founded in 1885 by the R.C. Robertson Family
Owner: Boyd Pate
Award Given: 2011

1984

Herald Printing and Office Supplies
Florence

Founded in 1884
Owner: John Martin
Award Given: 2004

 

1979

Julius Goldstein & Son Inc., dba Goldstein’s
Mobile

Founded in 1879 by Julius Goldstein
Owner: Richard Frank Jr.
Award Given: 2007

Harrison Brothers Hardware
Huntsville

Founded in 1879 byJames B. and Daniel T. Harrison
Owner: Historic Huntsville Foundation
Award Given: 2002

1977

Louis Crew & Co.
Goodwater

Founded in 1877 by Colonel Madison Crew
Owner: Johnny Crew Watson
Award Given: 2004

1974

Cullman Tribune
Cullman

Founded in 1874 by George Parker and G. A. Prinz
Owner: Delton Blalock
Award Given: 2004

1971

Douglas Brothers Jewelry
Troy

Founded in 1871 by C. B. Douglas
Owner: Scherr Qualls
Award Given: 2002

1970

The Clayton Record
Clayton, AL

Founded in 1870 by Edgar Quillin
Owner: Rebecca P. Beasley
Award Given: 2003

Pilcher McBride Drug Company Inc.
Selma

Founded in 1870 by Cunningham and Gatchell
Owners: Alfred Stewart, Jim Creech and Leslie Harrison
Award Given: 2003

1969

Don Drennen Motor Co. Inc.
Hoover

Founded in 1869 by Hubert, Mack and Mell Drennen
Owner: D. Ward Drennen III
Award Given: 2009

Payne’s
Scottsboro

Founded in 1869 by W.H. Payne
Owner: Paula Tabacchi
Award Given: 2011

1967

The Southern Star
Ozark
(Newspaper and Retail Printer)

Founded in 1867 by Joseph A. Adams
Owner: Joseph H. Adams
Award Given: 2002

The Gadsden Times
Gadsden
(Newspaper and Retail Printer)

Founded in 1867 by Leonidas W. Grant and T.J. Cox
Owner: Halifax Media Group
Award Given: 2012

1965

Whitlock Jewelry
Eufaula

Founded in 1865 by J. B. Whitlock
Owners: Irene and Sonny Harrison
Award Given: 2002

The Greenville Advocate
Greenville

Founded in 1865 by James B. Stanley
Owner: Boone Newspapers Inc.
Award Given: 2010

1964

Kymulga Grist Mill
Childersburg

Founded in 1864 by Confederate Army Captain Forney
Owner: Childersburg Heritage Society
Award Given: 2003

1956

The Clarke County Democrat
All of Clark County and parts of adjacent counties

Founded in 1856 by Issac Grant
Owner: Jim Cox
Award Given: 2003

1953

Milner-Rushing Discount Drugs,
Florence and Muscle Shoals

Founded in 1853 by Joseph Milner
Owner: John Lawson
Award Given: 2002

1952

The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel and Spa
Mobile

Founded in 1852 by John A.M. Battle
Owner: The Retirement Systems of Alabama
Award Given: 2008

1945

Butler-Truax Jewelers
Selma

Founded in 1845 by George L. and James R. Poor
Owners: Jim and Doris Truax
Award Given: 2011

1936

Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Birmingham and Montgomery

Founded in 1836 by Frederick W. Bromberg
Owner: The Bromberg Family
Award Given: 2002

1927

The Selma Times-Journal
Selma

Founded in 1827 by Thomas Jefferson Frow
Owner: Boone Newspapers Inc.
Award Given: 2007