My wife and I both grew up in Augusta and my wife worked at JB White for many years in high school, college and after. It was such a great company and we joined the thousands that were sad to see it go!
I worked at J.B. White’s in National years from the age of 17 until I graduated college.The people there were great! They let you come home for holidays and summer and work. I have many fond memories and was sad when they were taken over by Dillard’s.
Thank you. I had no idea until now who J.B. White actually was. Back in the mid-60s I was on the White's Fashion Board & used to love to visit the store as often as I could!
I guess he could be considered the Harry Selfridge of Augusta's mercantile history, though I'm sure White wasn't anywhere near as colorful & flamboyant as Mr. S., nor as innovative. It's interesting, though, that White, an Irish native, founded a store in U.S., while Selfridge, an American, founded a store in London. Augusta, of course, also had stores founded by American mercantile pioneers such as J.C. Penney, Sears-Roebuck, & the great Woolworth. There were regional ones along Broad St., also, like Belk. Cullum's & Davidson''s, I think, were strictly local but maybe not. They were major players here, regardless. We had a Kress store, too, but I don't know how much national reach it possessed. Over in N. Augusta, there was a W.T. Grant's store through most of the 60's but which is long gone. I believe Grant's could be found in other parts of the small-town south but have no recollection of the extent.
My wife and I both grew up in Augusta and my wife worked at JB White for many years in high school, college and after. It was such a great company and we joined the thousands that were sad to see it go!
I worked at J.B. White’s in National years from the age of 17 until I graduated college.The people there were great! They let you come home for holidays and summer and work. I have many fond memories and was sad when they were taken over by Dillard’s.
This is so cool. I grew up in Belvedere, born in 1967. Have you thought of doing one on Big Star in North Augusta?
Thank you. I had no idea until now who J.B. White actually was. Back in the mid-60s I was on the White's Fashion Board & used to love to visit the store as often as I could!
My mother always looked forward to shopping in Augusta - namely, J.B. White's!!
I guess he could be considered the Harry Selfridge of Augusta's mercantile history, though I'm sure White wasn't anywhere near as colorful & flamboyant as Mr. S., nor as innovative. It's interesting, though, that White, an Irish native, founded a store in U.S., while Selfridge, an American, founded a store in London. Augusta, of course, also had stores founded by American mercantile pioneers such as J.C. Penney, Sears-Roebuck, & the great Woolworth. There were regional ones along Broad St., also, like Belk. Cullum's & Davidson''s, I think, were strictly local but maybe not. They were major players here, regardless. We had a Kress store, too, but I don't know how much national reach it possessed. Over in N. Augusta, there was a W.T. Grant's store through most of the 60's but which is long gone. I believe Grant's could be found in other parts of the small-town south but have no recollection of the extent.