L. L. Bean
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Image:LLBean-LOGO.gif L.L. Bean, Inc. is a privately-held mail-order and retail company based in Freeport, Maine specializing in clothing and outdoor equipment. Its annual sales are over $1.4 billion.
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Company history
L.L. Bean was founded in 1911 by avid hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean—born October 13 1872 in Greenwood, Maine—who had developed a waterproof boot he was selling to hunters. By 1912 he was selling the "Bean boot," or Maine Hunting Shoe through a 4-page mail-order catalog, and the boot remains a staple of the company's outdoorsy image. Leon L. Bean passed away February 5, 1967 in Pompano Beach, Florida. The company passed into the directorship of Bean's grandson, Leon A. Gorman from that time until 2001, when Gorman decided to take the position of Chairman of the Board, leaving the position of CEO to Christopher J. McCormick, the first non-family member to assume the title.
Product line
Since its conception, the company has branched out not only to variations on its boots but to other outdoor equipment such as backpacks and tents, as well as producing a full line of clothing, which is now its mainstay. In 2000, L.L. Bean formed a contract with Subaru, making L.L. Bean the official outfitter of Subaru, spawning an 'LL Bean edition' Subaru Outback. Other Subaru vehicles featured LL Bean styling on latter models.
Branches
Along with a number of outlet ('factory') stores, the company maintains its flagship store on Main Street in Freeport. This branch, originally opened in 1917, has been open 24 hours a day since 1951, with the exception of two Sundays in 1962 when Maine changed its blue laws; a town vote reinstated the store's open-door policy. L.L. Bean has stores as far as Tokyo, as well as a large presence through its mail-order and online catalog.
Retail stores
- Maine: Freeport (two stores open 24 hours/day); factory stores: Freeport, Ellsworth, Portland
- New Hampshire: West Lebanon; factory stores: Concord, Manchester, Nashua, North Conway
- Massachusetts: Burlington (opening 9/2006)
- Connecticut: South Windsor (opening 8/2007)
- New Jersey: Marlton; factory store: Flemington
- Virginia: McLean; factory store: Williamsburg
- Pennsylvania: Upper Saucon Township (opening 11/2006)
- Maryland: Columbia; factory stores: Hagerstown, Perryville, Queenstown
- Delaware: Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington
- Japan: 9 retail stores
Bibliography
- M.R. Montgomery, In Search of L.L. Bean, Little Brown, 1984. ISBN 0316578649. A short, unofficial history. New York Times review