JC Whitney
Encyclopedia
JC Whitney began its life in 1915 as The Warshawsky Company, a scrap metal yard on the South Side
of Chicago. The company's founder was a Lithuania
n immigrant
named Israel Warshawsky. Throughout World War I
, Israel bought failed auto manufacturers and added new parts to his inventory. The Warshawky Company continued to grow, even during the Great Depression
. The company closed its Chicago location and opened a new location in LaSalle, Illinois in 1997. However, it still has its headquarters downtown Chicago at 111 East Wacker Street.
In 1934, Israel's son Roy joined his father at the company after graduating from the University of Chicago
. Roy proposed expanding out from the Chicago-area with a nationwide catalog and placed an ad in Popular Mechanics
for sixty dollars. The ad offered readers a "giant auto parts catalog" if they sent in twenty-five cents and response to the ad was huge.
Roy took charge after his father's death in 1943. He continued to grow the business through World War II
, always developing new strategies in response to changing customer needs.
Roy retired in 1991.
On June 26, 2002, The Riverside Company
acquired JC Whitney.
In 2007, The Riverside Company created Whitney Automotive group, which owns other companies such as CarParts.com, StylinTrucks.com, and AllBikeSupershop.com
On August 17, 2010 JCWhitney was acquired by U.S. Auto Parts.
facility contains both the phone order call center as well the expansive distribution center. This facility is also affiliated with Carparts.com, Stylintrucks.com and Allbikesupershop.com.
South Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
of Chicago. The company's founder was a Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n immigrant
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
named Israel Warshawsky. Throughout World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Israel bought failed auto manufacturers and added new parts to his inventory. The Warshawky Company continued to grow, even during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The company closed its Chicago location and opened a new location in LaSalle, Illinois in 1997. However, it still has its headquarters downtown Chicago at 111 East Wacker Street.
In 1934, Israel's son Roy joined his father at the company after graduating from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. Roy proposed expanding out from the Chicago-area with a nationwide catalog and placed an ad in Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11, 1902 by H. H. Windsor, and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation...
for sixty dollars. The ad offered readers a "giant auto parts catalog" if they sent in twenty-five cents and response to the ad was huge.
Roy took charge after his father's death in 1943. He continued to grow the business through World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, always developing new strategies in response to changing customer needs.
Roy retired in 1991.
On June 26, 2002, The Riverside Company
Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring leading small and medium-sized enterprises and partnering with strong management teams to enhance the success of its companies through acquisitions and organic growth...
acquired JC Whitney.
In 2007, The Riverside Company created Whitney Automotive group, which owns other companies such as CarParts.com, StylinTrucks.com, and AllBikeSupershop.com
On August 17, 2010 JCWhitney was acquired by U.S. Auto Parts.
LaSalle, Illinois location
Currently the La Salle, ILLa Salle, Illinois
LaSalle is a city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States, located at the intersection of Interstates 39 and 80. It is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area. Originally platted in 1837 over one square mile, the city has grown to...
facility contains both the phone order call center as well the expansive distribution center. This facility is also affiliated with Carparts.com, Stylintrucks.com and Allbikesupershop.com.