Bernecker's Nursery, Inc. was founded in the 1960s by Leo Bernecker. Bernecker's Nursery has it made in the shade. Bernecker's Nursery raises and distributes shade-acclimated Chamaedorea Seifrizii palms and other tropical indoor plants. The company nurtures the Chamaedorea Seifrizii, which has reed-like stems and feathery fronds, to thrive in either artificial or natural light. Other indoor tropical plants available from Bernecker's are aglaonemas, dracaenas, ficus, rhapis, and spathiphyllums. Customers include interiorscapers and nurseries in the US, Canada, Latin America, and other areas.

CEO and president Dan Brettler founded the company in Bellevue, Washington, in 1987. When you outgrow toy cars, you're likely to find Car Toys. Car Toys sells in-car DVD systems, satellite radios, audio components, security systems, navigation systems, radar detectors, and wireless phones and plans. The company offers such brands as Alpine, Audiovox, JBL, Motorola, Panasonic, Pioneer, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Car Toys peddles its products through about 50 retail locations in several states, including Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, as well as through its website. In addition to offering electronics, Car Toys stores provide installation services and advice.

American Furniture Warehouse sells furniture and electronics at discounted prices through about a dozen retail locations in Colorado and via its website, which also features bridal and gift registries. The company has built a reputation as a home-spun, local furniture retailer. Jabs bought the company in 1975.

Maxeda, formerly Vendex KBB, is owned by investment firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Cinven, Permira, and AlpInvest Partners. If Hans Brinker went shopping at Maxeda's stores today, he'd find a lot more than silver skates. The Dutch retail group operates stores in a dozen countries across Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The retailer is selling off its department store and specialty apparel chains to focus on its home improvement stores, which trade under the Brico, Formido, and Praxis banners. Its shrinking stable of retail operations include lingerie chain Hunkemeller and M&S Mode. In 2010 it sold its De Bijenkorf and Vroon & Dressman department store chains.

Kwik Trip operates about 350 Kwik Trip and Kwik Star convenience stores throughout Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The company also runs several Hearty Platter restaurants, about 40 Tobacco Outlet Plus (TOP) cigar stores, and car washes at some Kwik Trip store locations. All Kwik Trip stores built since 1990 are owned by Convenience Store Investments, a separate company, which leases the land and stores to Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip, which opened its first store in 1965 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is owned by the family of CEO Don Zietlow.

Fresh Encounter was founded in 1995 by Mike Needler when he purchased CWC Companies from his father-in-law. Today, the business is owned and run by the Needler family.They aren't offering encounters of the third kind, but they can help you out with a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. Fresh Encounter operates 30-plus supermarkets in Ohio and eastern Indiana under the Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, and Sack 'N Save Supermarket banners. To better compete with larger national chains, such as Kroger and Wal-Mart, Fresh Encounter's stores emphasize personalized service, 10 for $10 items specials, fresh-cut meat, community involvement, and private label products.

Mattress Giant Corporation sells mattresses, bed frames, headboards, futons, daybeds, pillows, and other sleep-related products through its website and some 360 stores in about more than a dozen states. Most Mattress Giant locations are in or around big cities, including Boston, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Philadelphia. The firm offers more than 40 mattress brands, including Simmons, Serta, Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, and AirSprung. Founded in 1992, Mattress Giant is owned by private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co., which acquired the business in 2006.

Grossman's Bargain Outlet is owned by Arkansas-based E.C. Barton, which also operates discount building products chain Surplus Warehouse. Grossman's Bargain Outlet caters to thrifty do-it-yourself and professional customers seeking an alternative to traditional home improvement centers. The company carries closeout and overstocked building supplies, including lumber, doors, windows, cabinets, flooring, fixtures, paint, and insulation. It operates about 50 no-frills Grossman's Bargain Outlet stores in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island. To encourage big-ticket shopping trips, Grossman's Bargain Outlet offers discounts on volume purchases and issues loyalty rewards to its Frequent Saver Club credit card holders.

Coburn Supply was founded in 1934 by the late Albert J. Coburn. Coburn keeps things cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Coburn Supply distributes air-conditioning and heating equipment, builder, electrical, and plumbing products, refrigeration, and municipal and utility supplies. It operates offices and showrooms through about 30 locations in Louisiana, some 15 in Texas, and a few in Mississippi and Tennessee. Its featured manufacturers have included Trane (formerly American Standard), Cantex, Delta Faucet, Halsey-Taylor, and Maytag. Coburn Supply distributes its products to general, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical contractors, as well as to home builders, municipalities, and public institutions.

SmartBargains is looking smarter and smarter as it develops into a full-blown electronic clearing house. Started in 2000 as an offshoot of liquidator Gordon Brothers Group, SmartBargains is a giant electronic bargain bin, offering such items as apparel, bedding, home decor, and luggage, at grossly reduced rates, often at costs up to 75% lower than retail. One of the few survivors of the dot-com bubble burst and operating only through its website, the company is a clearing house for closeouts and odd lots. SmartBargains is a division of Retail Convergence, which was acquired by e-commerce powerhouse GSI Commerce in late 2009.

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