Ames (department store)
Ames Department Stores, Inc. was an American chain of discount stores based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, United States. The company was founded in 1958 with a store in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and at its peak operated 700 stores in 20 states, including the Northeast, Upper South, Midwest, and the District of Columbia, making it the fourth-largest discount retailer in the country.
An Ames location in Seabrook, New Hampshire, originally a King's. | |
| Company type | Department store, Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1958 in Southbridge, Massachusetts (2026, current company) |
| Defunct | October 19, 2002 |
| Fate | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Rocky Hill, Connecticut |
Number of locations | 327 (August 2002) |
Key people | Joseph R. Ettore, Chairman and CEO
Peter Hollis, President and CEO Milton Gilman, Co-Founder and Chairman Irving Gilman, Co-Founder and President Herbert Gilman, Co-Founder, Senior VP, Chairman and CEO Philip Feltman, Co-Founder and Senior VP |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, toys, electronics and housewares. |
| Website | http://www.amesstores.com/ |
Despite some success in its later years, Ames was plagued by debt "via acquisition decisions" and a slow decline in sales in the new global market and suburban developments. This resulted in two bankruptcy filings that ultimately put an end to the chain. The company, despite expanding into other markets and taking over many closed stores abandoned by competitors, went out of business in 2002.