The F. W. Woolworth Company (often referred to as Woolworth’s or Woolworth) was a retail company and one of the original pioneers
of the five-and-dime store. It was among the most successful
American and international five-and-dime businesses, setting
trends and creating the modern retail model that stores follow
worldwide today.

The first Woolworth store was opened by Frank Winfield Woolworth
on February 22, 1879, as “Woolworth’s Great Five Cent Store” in
Utica, New York. Though it initially appeared to be successful, the
store soon failed. When Woolworth searched for a new location,
a friend suggested Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Using the sign from
the Utica store, Woolworth opened his first successful “Woolworth’s Great Five Cent Store” on July 18, 1879, in Lancaster. He brought
his brother, Charles Sumner Woolworth, into the business.

The two brothers pioneered and developed merchandising, direct purchasing, sales, and customer service practices commonly
used today.

Frank Winfield Woolworth
(April 13, 1852 – April 8, 1919)

Stetson is a brand of hat manufactured by the John B. Stetson
Company.

Stetson‘s inspiration for his most famous hats was gained when
headed west from his native New Jersey for health reasons. On
his return east in 1865 he founded the John B. Stetson Company
in Philadelphia and created a hat that has become symbolic of
the pioneering American West, the “Boss of the Plains”. This
Western hat would become the cornerstone of Stetson’s hat
business and is still in production today.

John Batterson Stetson
(May 5, 1830 – February 18, 1906)

Musician Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, a co-founder of the legendary
funk band Kool & the Gang, died Saturday in New Jersey. The cause
was not disclosed.

The Campbell Soup Company was started in 1869 by Joseph A. Campbell, a fruit merchant from Bridgeton, New Jersey, and
Abraham Anderson, an icebox manufacturer from South Jersey.

They produced canned tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, soups,
condiments, and minced meats.

Joseph Albert Campbell (May 15, 1817 – March 27, 1900)

Dr. John T. Dorrance, Arthur’s nephew, invented the process
of condensing soup. He became president of the company
until his death in 1930.

The company wins a bronze medal for product excellence at the
Paris Exposition. The medallion is added to the can label where
it still appears to this day.

Tootsie Roll is a chocolate-flavored taffy-like candy that has been manufactured in the United States since 1907. The candy has
qualities similar to both caramels and taffy without being exactly
either confection. The manufacturer, Tootsie Roll Industries, is
based in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first penny candy to be
individually wrapped in America. (From Wikipedia)

Founder