Founded in 1973, the company is a subsidiary of Fred Meyer Stores, which is itself a subsidiary of grocery giant Kroger. Fred Meyer Jewelers wants to help you keep track of time while making room in your life for some bling. Founded in 1973, Fred Meyer Jewelers sells value-priced diamond and gemstone jewelry and well-known watch brands, such as Bulova, Citizen, Longines, Movado, and Omega. The company has some 375 jewelry stores in about three dozen states, including locations inside Fred Meyer Marketplace and Kroger Marketplace stores. (More than a third of the stores are located in California, Oregon, and Washington.) It operates under the names Barclay Jewelers, Fred Meyer Jewelers, and Littman Jewelers.

Levenger began when Lori Granger Leveen and her husband, Steve, said: "Let there be lighting!" The company, which got its start in 1987 by selling halogen lights for reading, has fashioned itself into the provider of "Tools for Serious Readers." The direct marketer offers an assortment of branded and private-label home and office accessories and furniture. Its products include bookcases, briefcases, leather armchairs, lap desks, inkwells, pens, pillows, stationery, and of course, lighting products. Levenger (which derives its name from combining Leveen and Granger) sells its merchandise through its catalog, website, and retail stores in Boston; Chicago; Boca Raton, Florida; and the Washington, DC, area.

Academy is near the head of the class among sporting goods retailers. It is one of the leading full-line sporting goods chains in the US with about 120 Academy Sports + Outdoors stores in Texas and some 10 other states in the Southeast. Academy's low-frills stores carry clothing, shoes, and equipment for almost any sport and outdoor activity, including camping, golf, hunting, fishing, and boating. The company, which also operates a catalog and e-commerce site, dates back to a San Antonio tire shop opened by Max Gochman in 1938. The business moved into military surplus items and during the 1980s began focusing on sports and outdoor goods. The Gochman family still owns Academy and is run by CEO David Gochman.

Hobby Lobby began operation August 3, 1972 with 300 square feet of retail space, located in North Oklahoma City. This was a retail outgrowth of Greco Products, a miniature picture frame company, founded by David Green in 1970. In January 1973, the operation was moved to a house near N.W. 23rd and Western, and the amount of retail space was increased to approximately 1,000 square feet. Over the years this modest beginning has grown into 467 stores which operates in 39 states. The operation, now known as Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., can no longer be considered just an arts and crafts store. With departments ranging from crafts, hobbies, picture framing, jewelry making, fashion fabrics, floral, cards & party, baskets, wearable art, home accents, and holiday supplies, Hobby Lobby is the place to shop with Super Selection, Super Savings . . . Everyday!

Kable Media Services (KMS) distributes more than 400 magazines and periodicals for about 200 publishers throughout North America and, to a lesser extent,overseas. It prints and distributes publications such as Archie Comics and Ms. Magazine. Its Kable Fulfillment Services division provides magazine subscription services and merchandise fulfillment for publishers and marketers. The Kable Distribution Services division is a leading full service international periodical distributor. KMS has offices in New York, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, California, and the UK. The company is a subsidiary of the AMREP Corp.

Recreation is serious business for Affinity Group. The direct marketing firm sells goods and services through its membership and discount buyers clubs, such as Good Sam, Coast to Coast Resorts, Camp Club USA, and President's Club. It offers RV products (including air conditioners, sanitation systems, furnishings) not usually found in general merchandise stores at about 80 Camping World specialty shops across the US, as well as via catalog and online. Affinity also publishes magazines and travel guides, from which it derives subscription fees and ad sales revenue. Chairman Steve Adams is the majority owner of both Affinity and, through another entity, RV retailer FreedomRoads.

FrightCatalog.com is the epicenter of ghastly goods. As one of the fastest growing online and catalog retailers of peculiar products, we go to the ends of the earth (and then some) to bring you the very best. In our book, creepy is as creepy does... and we've got you covered, from horn to tail. FrightCatalog.com has been catering to all of our great customers since 2000. Since then we've made it a point to stay on the cutting edge, filling our warehouse with fabulous finds to awaken your inner Halloween spirit throughout the year. While we relish in our nightmarish fun, we're bound to our customers' satisfaction. We offer quality products at competitive prices and with our 110% price match guarantee, we've got the competition scared stiff.

Lia Auto Group sells cars and philanthropy. Each year Lia Auto Group sells new Hondas, Hyundais, Infinitis, Nissans, Scions, Toyotas, and Volkswagens from about seven franchises and 17 dealerships in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. The group also peddles used cars and fleet units. Its shoppers may browse for cars, schedule service, or order parts on the group's Web site. Lia Auto Group additionally provides service, sells parts, and performs collision repair. The auto company was founded by Bill Lia, Sr., in 1979 and is owned by the Lia family, whose many philanthropic activities in the region include raffling luxury cars to raise money for charity.

Union Diamond Corporation continues to add twinkle to its sparkling reputation. Union Diamond Corporation sells wholesale and retail loose diamonds, pre-made and custom-made jewelry, and watches through its Web site and through a flagship showroom in Atlanta, Georgia. All products are distributed from one location. Prices range from $300 to $500,000, with some items topping $1 million. Customer service includes education by live diamond experts offering telephone consultations-- including advice from diamond industry veterans president and CEO Scott Anderson and COO Tony Rixom. The same pair owns Union Diamond Corporation company.

Cole's was founded in 1986. Cole Office Products challenges the idea that big-box stores have the lowest prices. The independent retailer distributes about 3,000 workplace essentials, including business cards, forms, filler paper, writing implements, computer peripherals, office furniture, and maintenance and break room supplies. It features products from such makers as Avery, Safco, and Xerox. Orders can be placed by phone, fax, or through Cole's e-commerce site. As a veteran-owned small business, Cole Office Products, Inc. is an authorized supplier for the government.

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