163:." Another source characterized Gilman as a "flambouyant, incurable high-flyer." The A&P Historical Society describes early stores as "resplendent emporiums" painted in vermilion and equipped with a large gas light T sign. Interiors included crystal chandeliers, tin ceilings, and walls with gilt-edged Chinese panels. A clerk stood behind a long counter to serve customers (self-service did not become common until the 1930s) and the cashier's station was shaped like a Chinese pagoda. In 1865, Gilman located his coffee roasting plant at Broadway and Bleecker Street in the prime Manhattan shopping and entertainment district so that the smell of roasting coffee encouraged sales.
140:, George Gilman came from a wealthy family that traced its ancestry back to the Mayflower. George's father, Nathaniel Gilman was a successful privateer and embargo runner during the War of 1812. Nathaniel entered the New York City leather trade in 1834 and formed Gilman, Small and Company in an area known as the swamp two blocks east of city hall. Eventually the company operated three leather warehouses in the city and relocated the tannery upstate. The forerunner of A&P was founded by George Gilman in the mid-1850s as Gilman & Company to continue his father's
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all of the company's leases were in his name. The heirs realized that without
Hartford, the firm would quickly become unprofitable. Therefore, they agreed to a settlement where the company was incorporated at $ 2.1 million. Under this agreement, the Gilman heirs received $ 1.25 million in preferred shares paying 6% per year while Hartford received $ 700,000 in common stock and the remainder of the preferred shares. This gave Hartford control of all of the voting stock. Over the years, Hartford was also able to repurchase the preferred shares from the Gilman heirs.
189:(1833–1917). Hartford worked for the tanning company in the St. Louis office and joined Gilman & Company in New York as a clerk in 1861. He was later promoted to bookkeeper, then cashier in 1866. Contrary to the founding myth promoted by his sons, Hartford was not a founder of A&P. However; by 1871 Hartford was in a position of authority and was dispatched by Gilman to open a store in Chicago after
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in light of his wealth. In May 1861, Gilman turned over his tanning business to his brother
Winthrop and George moved his tea business to 129 Front Street. Initially, Gilman & Company was a wholesaler. In early 1863 the firm became a retailer calling itself the Great American Tea Company. Quickly, Gilman opened five stores and moved his office and warehouse to 51
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where he entertained extensively. At one point, he owned 39 horses and 35 carriages. When his house burned in 1894, he replaced it with a larger 20 room mansion that included numerous bathrooms. After his wife died the next year, Gilman became even more eccentric by removing all clocks and mirrors so
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Gilman's father died in 1859 without a will, resulting in litigation that was not settled for 50 years. That year, George Gilman's firm entered the tea and coffee business using the storefront at his Gold Street warehouse. One source speculates that Gilman decided to enter a more respectable business
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who had been responsible for the company's business affairs. Under the unwritten understanding, Hartford received half of the profits. Gilman never had children and died without a will. Hartford asserted in court that he was entitled to half of the company and Gilman's estate agreed to a settlement
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in March 1901 without a will, starting a legal battle among his numerous heirs. Hartford asserted that in 1878, Gilman give him half of the company in an unwritten partnership agreement. Evidence provided to the court established that
Hartford received half of A&P's profits since 1878 and that
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Gilman had a flair for marketing and pioneered many sales techniques that are now commonplace retailing. Initially he opened stores in New York City and also operated a nationwide mail order business selling tea and coffee. In 1871, he opened a store in
Chicago, Illinois and within a few years
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In 1878, Gilman retired and left the active management of the firm to
Hartford. By then, the firm operated 70 lavishly-equipped stores and a mail order business with combined annual sales of $ 1 million ($ 31,572,414 today). Gilman lived at his mansion in
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when he joined his father's leather tanning business. By age 30, he had his own leather business in New York. After his father died, Gilman decided to enter the more respectable tea and coffee business and started what would ultimately become
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The business quickly expanded by advertising low prices. The firm was able to offer low prices by acting as both the wholesaler and retailer. Gilman also built a nationwide
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name for mail order purposes. In 1871, A&P introduced another marketing concept when it offered premiums with the purchase of coffee and tea at its stores.
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business. In 1858, Gilman built his own warehouse at 98 Gold Street in
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to market the then-new concept of prepackaged tea under the Thea-Nector brand. The tea company continued to use the
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he would not be reminded that he was becoming older. He "adopted" at least two younger women to keep him company.
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Gilman proved to be a master at promotion. One source referred to Gilman as "in the mold of
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99:(c. 1826 – March 3, 1901) was an American businessman. A native of
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The Rise & Decline of The Great
Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company
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Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. v. Supermarket Equipment Corp.
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that allowed
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The Great A&P and the struggle for small business in
America
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where he became known as an eccentric. The firm was operated by
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The Story of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company
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was completed; Gilman starting using the trade name
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116:operated stores in 16 cities.
21:George Gilman (disambiguation)
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112:, better known as A&P.
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238:. March 4, 1901. p. 1
187:George Huntington Hartford
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170:business. In 1869, the
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62:Bridgeport, Connecticut
555:George Ludlum Hartford
58:March 3, 1901 (age 75)
709:Supermarket Superstar
484:Ultra Food & Drug
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590:Floyd James Thompson
16:American businessman
671:The A&P Gypsies
570:Christian W.E. Haub
560:Huntington Hartford
535:E. LeBron Fairbanks
308:. Lyle Stuart Inc.
146:St. Louis, Missouri
545:Edward V. Hartford
515:Richard F. Colburn
474:Super Fresh Canada
454:Kohl's Food Stores
439:Food Basics Canada
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630:Former facilities
621:Red Circle Coffee
525:Michael J. Cullen
459:Miracle Food Mart
343:978-0-7385-1038-5
285:978-0-8090-9543-8
278:. Hill and Wang.
138:Waterville, Maine
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449:Futurestore
434:Farmer Jack
429:Family Mart
404:Food Basics
336:. Arcadia.
242:November 6,
737:Categories
409:Waldbaum's
214:References
168:mail order
207:nephritis
132:Biography
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280:ISBN
244:2020
64:, US
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36:Born
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