County Seat (store)
Encyclopedia
County Seat was an American clothing retailer founded in 1973. With more than 740 stores at its peak, the chain closed in 1999 following Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
by Jack J. Crocker, then the CEO of SuperValu
supermarkets. County Seat specialized in casual apparel and blue jeans
. In 1977, the chain grew to 183 stores, and began selling sports clothing as well. In 1983, it was sold to the Carson Pirie Scott
department store chain of Chicago
, who bought County Seat for $71 million.
Carson Pirie Scott redesigned the chain's stores with matte black fictures and re-focused the merchandise line to target high schoolers. The chain had 415 stores in 1989, at which point Bergner's
acquired Carson Pirie Scott and sold off County Seat to a new management team.
Wet Seal
made an offer to buy the County Seat chain in 1996, but it was rejected. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 1996 and began closing off stores. County Seat filed for bankruptcy again in 1999.
History
The chain was founded in 1973 in Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
by Jack J. Crocker, then the CEO of SuperValu
Supervalu (United States)
SuperValu Inc. is a United States grocery retailer and distributor. The corporation, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has been in business for over a century. It is the third-largest food retailing company in the United States , and ranks #51 on the Fortune 100 list.On June 2, 2006,...
supermarkets. County Seat specialized in casual apparel and blue jeans
Blue Jeans
"Blue Jeans" is a sentimental popular song written by Harry D. Kerr and Lou Traveller in 1920. In the song, the singer is reminiscing about a long-ago young love that happened somewhere in the "hills of the old Cumberland." The chorus echoes the singer's longing:* The Parlor Songs Collection.* by...
. In 1977, the chain grew to 183 stores, and began selling sports clothing as well. In 1983, it was sold to the Carson Pirie Scott
Carson Pirie Scott
Carson Pirie Scott & Co., known informally as Carson's, is an upscale chain of department stores that have been in business for over 150 years. Their product price points are targeted to the moderate-to-upscale shopper...
department store chain of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, who bought County Seat for $71 million.
Carson Pirie Scott redesigned the chain's stores with matte black fictures and re-focused the merchandise line to target high schoolers. The chain had 415 stores in 1989, at which point Bergner's
Bergner's
Bergner's is a major department store in central and northern Illinois, established in 1889 in Peoria, Illinois, and offering mid-line to higher end merchandise in their largest stores. The current flagship store is located in Peoria at The Shoppes at Grande Prairie.-Beginnings:Bergner's was...
acquired Carson Pirie Scott and sold off County Seat to a new management team.
Wet Seal
Wet Seal
Wet Seal is a young women's clothing retailer headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California. It carries moderately priced brand name and company-designed apparel and accessories...
made an offer to buy the County Seat chain in 1996, but it was rejected. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 1996 and began closing off stores. County Seat filed for bankruptcy again in 1999.