Groupe Bikini Village inc. was founded in 1978. Groupe Bikini Village (formerly Groupe Les Ailes de la Mode) sells itsy bitsy, teeny weeny bikinis, as well as all types of swimwear, travel clothing, and beach and swimming accessories for men and women through more than 60 Bikini Village and Ocean Bikini Village boutiques in Quebec and Ontario. Groupe Bikini Village sold its unprofitable Les Ailes department store subsidiary in 2005 and adopted the name of its remaining Bikini Village business. In 2004 Groupe Bikini Village emerged from bankruptcy court protection as Groupe Les Ailes de la Mode. It was known as Les Boutiques San Francisco prior to its bankruptcy filing in late 2003.

Wallis Companies is a leading gasoline distributor in Missouri and the Midwest. The company's convenience store division operates about 40 locations in the Show Me State and services more than 140 other stores, including Exxon Mobil 's On The Run shops and BP Pump Handle stores. Other businesses include the Hen House restaurant in Bourbon, Missouri, as well as Wallis Lubricants (automotive and industrial lubricants) and the Great River Wash Company (distributes car wash equipment). Wallis Companies was founded in 1968 by Bill Wallis and today is run by his wife, Lynn Wallis, who took control of the company when he died.

Loblaw is also Canada's largest wholesale food distributor. Loblaw Companies is a subsidiary of Canada's George Weston.When grocery shopping in Canada, it's hard to escape the long arm of Loblaw. Loblaw Companies Ltd. is the market share leader among Canadian supermarket operators. Its corporate, franchised, and affiliated banners (22 in all) fly over more than 1,440 stores nationwide. Trade names include Loblaws, Atlantic SaveEasy, Extra Foods, Fortinos, No Frills, Provigo, Your Independent Grocer, T&T, and Zehrs Markets, to name a few. Its stores offer more than 8,000 private-label products, including its signature President's Choice brand, as well as traditional and organic grocery fare

Mathis Bros. Furniture Co., Inc operates a handful of Mathis Brothers-branded furniture showrooms: two each in Oklahoma and California. Its 130,000-sq.-ft. Oklahoma City store draws customers from across the state. In addition, Mathis Bros. owns a Thomasville Home Furnishings and a Drexel Heritage Home Furnishings store, both also located in Oklahoma City. The furniture retailer has grown through acquisitions, such as its purchase of Bedtime, a juvenile furniture importer. Brothers Bill and Larry Mathis own and operate the company.

Refrigeration Sales Corporation (RSC) was founded by Warren Wightman Farr Sr. in 1945, shortly after World War II. Business operations included service and repair of refrigeration equipment, as well as the retail sales of various refrigeration appliances. In 1949, Warren Sr. was approached by Willis Carrier (the recognized founder of air conditioning) to convert the business to pure wholesale of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration products. At that time, annual sales revenues were $2MM. While wholesale was a relatively new endeavor, and it would mean getting out of the familiar contracting business, Warren Sr. decided to take the risk and make the change to his business operations. To reduce this risk, he negotiated exclusive representation of the Carrier product line for 23 northeastern Ohio counties including Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown areas.In 1975, when Warren Sr. retired, annual sales were $7M. Warren Farr Jr. (Hap) assumed leadership of the company , and branch stores were added to diversify RSC sales away from HVAC equipment alone. Today, the parts and supplies division accounts for 33% of RSC's overall sales. Several more counties in the Columbus and southern Ohio areas were also added to RSC's Carrier franchise-- resulting in 1978 annual sales of $31MM. RSC continues to add other major HVAC/R products and brands to its sales offerings. In 2000, Warren Farr III was named President. Today, RSC continues to be a pure wholesaler with a wide variety of HVAC/R products including: ice machines, coolers, air conditioners, gas furnaces, chillers, digital control systems, replacement parts, tools, and chemicals. RSC has 12 locations, 11 in Ohio and 1 in Pennsylvania, servicing thousands of contractor customers. RSC is known for representing the best brands in the industry, as well as supporting these brands with excellent training and support services for the trade.

Founded in 1983, Road Runner sells dozens of brands including adidas, Asics, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, and others. Road Runner Sports is for the running -- or walking -- man or woman. The retailer, known for its huge selection, sells a wide range of athletic shoes and gear for those who go for the aerobic burn by pounding out the miles on their feet. Products are sold online and through specialty catalogs. The company also caters to those who would rather run in than log on with about 20 retail outlets, mostly in California but also in about 10 other states. The stores, which average about 8,500 square feet, feature gait analysis machines, running coaches, customized orthotics fitting, and a test run area.

Business at Roofing Wholesale doesn't have to be complicated, but it should be over your head. Roofing Wholesale Company (RWC) distributes residential and commercial roofing, stone flooring, and stucco to contractors, builders, and do-it-yourself home owners through ten locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. It also operates an online store. Products include asphalt shingles, cedar shakes and shingles, clay tiles, fasteners, marble floors, and slate roofs. John Lisherness, father of current president Harley Lisherness, founded the family-owned company in 1958.

Replacement Parts works Bumper to Bumper. Replacement Parts company's subsidiary Crow-Burlingame operates about 160 stores under the Bumper To Bumper banner in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Replacement Parts also distributes auto parts through three Parts Warehouses in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 1919 by grocer J.G. Burlingame and candy salesman William Robert Crow, grandfather of president Fletcher Lord Jr. The duo first entered the auto business by purchasing new cars in St. Louis and driving them around Little Rock to attract buyers. Employees own about 15% of Replacement Parts through its stock ownership program.

Farm Stores Corporation is exploring plans to expand its concept nationally. Founded in 1935, the Bared family, fronted by company president and CEO Carlos Bared, bought Farm Stores out of bankruptcy in 1992.Farm Stores Corporation's drive-thru markets, you never leave the car. With more than 100 Express Markets throughout Florida, Farm Stores is the nation's largest drive-thru grocery retailer. The chain's pre-paid Farm Stores Quick Card (think of it as a debit card for milk) allows customers to buy gallons more cheaply by paying in advance. The grocery chain's stores are supplied by Associated Grocers of Florida.

Sapp Bros Travel Centers (formerly Sapp Bros Truck Stops) has the usual air, gas, food, but also offers human conveniences such such as laundry rooms, mailbox rentals, private showers, and TV lounges. The company operates a chain of some 15 truck stops -- readily identifiable by the giant red-and-white coffeepot logo -- along interstate highways from Utah to Pennsylvania; with a concentration in Nebraska. Half of the locations also operate service centers, offering oil changes, new tires, and safety checks. Its sister company, Sapp Bros Petroleum, distributes petroleum products in Nebraska and western Iowa. The firm is run by CEO Bill Sapp, one of the four founding Sapp brothers.

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