TG&Y

TG&Y was a five and dime, or variety store, chain in the United States. At its peak, there were more than 900 stores in 29 states. Starting out in rural areas and eventually moving into cities, TG&Y stores were firmly embedded in southern culture as modern-day general stores with a bit of everything, and often called "Turtles, Girdles and Yoyos," "Toys, Games and Yoyos," and other irreverent monikers. The chain used the advertising slogan, "Your best buy is at TG&Y."[1]

History

Founded in 1935, the chain was headquartered in Oklahoma City and named for its three founders: Rawdon E. Tomlinson, Enoch L. "Les" Gosselin, and Raymond A. Young. The initials were ordered according to the ages of the three, with Tomlinson being the oldest.[2][3] Raymond Young, the only one of the three partners to remain with the chain, oversaw its operations until his retirement in 1970.[4]

In 1957 TG&Y was acquired by Butler Brothers of Chicago, with the stipulation that Young's leadership role remain unchanged. After Young's retirement, however, leadership changed frequently. In 1986, when it had about 720 stores, TG&Y was acquired by competitor McCrory Stores.[3]

Demise

After its heyday in the 1960s, unsuccessful attempts were made to expand and rebrand TG&Y under the TG&Y Dollar, Aim for the Best, and Dollar-T names. Shortly after acquiring the struggling chain, McCrory's cut over 8,000 TG&Y employees and closed 205 stores, including 23 in its former home state of Oklahoma.[5]

In 2001 TG&Y's owner McCrory Stores filed bankruptcy and all stores were eventually closed. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Variety in Store" SLICE Magazine, retrieved March 2013.
  2. ↑ Say goodbye to TG&Y | Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  3. 1 2 "T.G.&Y. STORES". okhistory.org. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "The Demise of TG&Y." OKC History. Accessed July 2011.
  5. ↑ ""8,000 Tg&y Employees Terminated by Mccroy / 2,000 Cut in State since Purchase" by Carter, Kim - THE JOURNAL RECORD, September 5, 1986 - Online Research Library: Questia".

External links

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