Kimbrell's History

1915 to 1920:

 

W. Earle Kimbrell, with two other investors, opened the first Kimbrell’s Furniture store in Columbia, SC.  A second store soon followed.

1920s:

 

A store opened in Spartanburg, SC, handling only specialty items such as Bedding.  In 1927, W.E. Kimbrell and several others organized the Southern Factories and Stores Corp. consisting of six stores across both Carolinas.

1930s: 

 

Kimbrell’s survived the Great Depression.  By 1939 the company had been renamed Kimbrell’s Inc. and opened three new stores, as well as the General Executive Office in Charlotte, NC.

1940s: 

 

The Central Warehouse, later Furniture Distributors, was begun in 1946 and growth continued with the addition of six new stores.

1950s:

 

Seven new store openings included the addition of many exchange stores in cities that already had a Kimbrell’s location.  Many operations moved to larger buildings or were remodeled.

1960s: 

 

Kimbrell’ celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1965.  That same year marked the death of our founder, W.E. Kimbrell.  His son, W. Clarence Kimbrell succeeded him as company President.

1970s: 

 

Kimbrell’s opened 11 more stores, including our first store in Georgia.

1980s: 

 

Mr. Clarence Kimbrell retired in 1984 after 52 years of service to the company, and his brother, Mr. John Allen Kimbrell was named President.
Continuing Kimbrell’s value-oriented growth policies, four more stores were added. Our current President, Mr. Henry L. Johnson, was named in 1988.

1990s:

 

Kimbrell’s continued to improve store locations for our customers, while focusing on value and style with our merchandising and advertising plan.

Today: 
Present management continues to adhere to the proven policies established by Earle Kimbrell and the longtime associates who have collectively built Kimbrell’s into a growing home furnishings retailer with strong finances and a talent for serving its customers with the best in dependable home furnishings and superior service.