Among the optimistic Americans who migrated westward in the late 1800's was A.C. Houston, who founded A.C. Houston Lumber in 1884. The pioneers of the time had set out to build new lives, and Houston established the company that would provide building materials to do so. The first A.C. Houston Lumber yards opened in the small Kansas towns of Eureka and Hamilton. More than one hundred twenty-five years later, A.C. Houston Lumber yards can be found in three western states of California, Idaho, and Nevada with the corporate headquarters being located in North Las Vegas. The corporate headquarters was located in Kansas until 1998, when it relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada.Much has changed since 1884, but the business philosophy of A.C. Houston has been passed down unchanged to third-generation family member, Robert A. Houston, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our goal is to sell products of quality and strength, give the customer their money's worth, and to treat each customer the way we, ourselves, would want to be treated," Houston says. A.C. Houston Primarily a volume supplier of lumber and building materials to the professional contractor, A.C. Houston Lumber operates retail centers offering products that supplement the construction trade. We fabricate roof and floor trusses at our manufacturing plants using computerized, state-of-the-art equipment in addition to providing engineering assistance and truss design. We encourage you to stop by one of our locations and chat with our staff. They are eager to assist you with all of your building material needs.

Fry's Food and Drug Stores is owned by The Kroger Co., the 1 pure grocery chain in the US.Fry's Food and Drug Stores operates about 100 supermarkets under the Fry's Food & Drug banner, mostly in Phoenix but also in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to traditional supermarket fare, many Fry's stores have in-store pharmacies, and a third of its supermarkets offer full-service banking in partnership with Bank One. Fry's also operates about 20 Fry's Marketplace stores, large (up to 120,000 sq. ft.) multi-department stores that offer full-service grocery and pharmacy departments, as well as expanded general merchandise, electronics, home goods, and toy sections.

Meijer (pronounced "Meyer") is a giant of retailing in the Midwest. The company's huge grocery and general merchandise stores average 200,000 to 250,000 sq. ft. each (or about the size of four regular grocery stores) and stock about 120,000 items, including Meijer private-label products. Meijer operates about 195 locations; about half are in Michigan, while the rest are in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Customers can choose from 40-plus departments, including apparel, electronics, hardware, and toys. Most stores also sell gasoline, offer banking services, and have multiple in-store restaurants. Founder Hendrik Meijer opened his first store in 1934; the business is still family owned and run.

Shoppers Food Warehouse founded in 1949 as Jumbo Food Stores, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy is owned by food wholesaler and retailer SUPERVALU.Shoppers Food & Pharmacy offers large-scale, one-stop shopping to customers in Baltimore; Washington, DC; and northern Virginia under the Shoppers Food & Pharmacy banner. Its 60-plus discount food stores average about 55,000 sq. ft. and offer a variety of products and services, including produce, baked goods, meats and seafood, salad bars, cookware, and prepared foods, among other items. The regional chain boasts more than 30,000 everyday low prices with no loyalty card needed. Shoppers is one of the largest supermarket operators in the Washington, DC, metro area, trailing Giant Food and Safeway.

Trying to catalog all the things this superstore carries could fry your brain. Fry's Electronics is a leading big-box retailer of computers, consumer electronics, and appliances with some 35 stores in about 10 states. The retail chain's extensive inventory includes computer software and components, industry magazines, movies and music, refrigerators, washers and dryers, small appliances, stereo equipment, and televisions. Each store also typically stocks a variety of snacks and other impulse items. The technogeek's dream store began in 1985 as the brainchild of CEO John Fry (with brothers Randy and Dave) and VP Kathy Kolder. The Fry brothers, who got their start at Fry's Food Stores, still own Fry's Electronics company.

Boyles Distinctive Furniture sells home furnishings through five locations, including a clearance outlet, in North Carolina and online. Customers can buy traditional wood, leather, and upholstered pieces from manufacturers such as Bernhardt, Hooker Furniture, Maitland-Smith, and Ralph Lauren. The company offers interior design support and nationwide delivery service. Internet shoppers can chat with store reps and get a quote via the retailer's Web site. Boyles' showrooms are distinctive as well, ranging from glass-fronted modern stores to shaker-style buildings. Founded in 1949, the company is part of the Hendricks Furniture Group, which filed for Chapter 11 in 2009.

Sedano's Supermarkets was founded in Hialeah, Florida in 1962. Our founder, Armando Guerra, was a thriving businessman in Cuba, and it was there where he gained the necessary experience to establish himself in the U.S. In 1971, Guerra brought Manuel Herrán on board to help out with the daily operations of his small business. From its humble beginnings, Sedano's is now the No. 1 Hispanic retailer in the nation.Manuel Herrán was born in Santander, Spain in 1937. In 1951, he moved to Cuba with his family. By 1967, Herrán and his family made their way to Miami where he worked as a salesman before beginning his career with Sedano's. Mr. Guerra passed away in 1979, and Herrán took over the reigns of the company. Agustin Herran, Manuel's son, is the current President and CEO, and Manuel is now Chairman of the Board.This year, Sedano's celebrates its 47th year of operation. From a single store in 1962, the Sedano's chain has grown to more than 30 supermarkets across South Florida. Sedano's has also become the largest member of the Associated Grocers of Florida. The company's plans include opening a new location in 2009 and an expansion to the Orlando market in 2010 where Sedano's will open three stores. Future plans include the ongoing beautification of all existing stores.

Founded in 1960 by the Libman family, Pennsylvania-based Hajoca Corporation acquired Able in 2005. President Barry Libman still runs the business. This company is ready, willing, and, well, you get it. Able Distributing Company supplies contractors with plumbing and heating products through a half-dozen locations in Arizona and Wisconsin. Its locations include showrooms with mock kitchens, bathrooms, and custom installations showcasing fixtures, pipes, tubing, and other items from such brands as Kohler, Delta Faucet Company, and Axor, among others. The company also provides related products and services through subsidiaries Able Technology and Able Field Services.

O'Connell Oil operates about 30 Convenience Plus convenience stores and a half a dozen gas stations throughout western Massachusetts, serving customers with Citgo, Mobil, and Shell brand gasoline. Three O'Connell's Heating Oil & Service locations provide heating oil and air conditioner repair services. The company also runs plumbing and industrial lubricant divisions. Namesake Ralph M. O'Connell founded the company in 1925.

EmbroidMe is on the fast track. As a franchise operation, EmbroidMe.com Inc. offers custom embroidery, screen printing, and promotional products through about 350 shops in nearly 10 countries (including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US). Stores specialize in emblazoning custom designs on items such as golf shirts, ball caps, towels, uniforms, jackets, and bags, as well as promotional fare (pens, mouse pads, and mugs). EmbroidMe outlets feature brand-name apparel (such as adidas, Liz Claiborne, and Nike Golf) and its own private-label products. EmbroidMe.com Inc. is part of United Franchise Group. It was founded in 2000 by Ray Titus, the group's CEO.

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