"A HOME FURNISHINGS TRADITION SINCE 1905"
History
In 1905, Gerson May began the business
traveling in a horse and buggy selling wares of all kinds in
the coal mining camps of Walker County, Alabama, in the area
known as Summit. The following year, a store was built
in the adjoining community of Commercial and he, together with
his wife Fannie, stocked and sold food, housewares and
clothing: a general store for the times. Deliveries were
still made with horse and buggy, but now customers could shop
a much larger selection of merchandise found within the store.
Two sons were born, Ike in 1907 and Babe in 1908. From
the time the sons were 10 years old, they helped their parents
in the business doing whatever was necessary from restocking
the shelves to assisting customers. The brothers learned
the business working before and after school hours.
In 1924, the store caught fire and was completely destroyed.
It was rebuilt the following year but the business was moved
in 1927 to Parrish, a coal mining community in another part of
the county. The business continued to prosper, offering
much the same assortment of merchandise and extending credit
to some of the more loyal customers. The Parrish store
location remained in operation until 1949, following the death
of Gerson May in 1939 and Fannie May in 1948. During
that period, a wholesale grocery business was established in
Jasper in 1936 and remained open until 1946.
In 1946, a furniture and clothing business was established in
the Jasper downtown business district. With the passing
of Fannie May, the Parrish store location was closed in 1949.
Ike and Babe continued to operate the Jasper store and in 1964
Gerson May, Babe’s son, entered the business upon graduation
from college. In 1969, Gerson opened the Parkway store
location along newly completed US 78 Highway in Jasper and
offered a complete line of furniture, appliances and floor
covering. Ike’s son, Fred, entered the business in 1971
following graduation from college. |
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